Question

Discuss the differences between the stone tools of Palaeolithic,Mesolithic and Neolithic Ages.

Answer 1

The Palaeolithic period is characterized by simple bands of hunters.
The cave paintings in France, and some carved pebble figures of what appear to be pregnant women date to this period. Their implements included "hand axes" - stones which had been chipped to give a rounded base suitable for holding in the hand, then tapering to a point which could be used for pounding and chopping, also smaller stone scrapers for skinning animals and preparing hides, and bone awls - pointed needles without eyes which could punch holes in a hide so that it could be laced together into some sort of garment. During this period, spearheads were made from chipped stones, with grooves so that they could be fastened to a wooden shaft.
The Mesolithic period, roughly dated 10,000 BC to between 6,000 and 4,000 BC Hunting in a forest demands other skills than hunting in the tundra. Men developed tools and weapons made of "microliths" - small chips and flakes of sharp stone or flint which could be set into a piece of wood or bone to give a cutting implement, or which could be used as arrow points.
The Neolithic period : the stone tools were often made by grinding and polishing, rather than by chipping flakes. These developments took place at different times in different places.