The Paleolithic Period - Old Stone Age

The Paleolithic Period, also known as the Old Stone Age, is a prehistoric era that lasted from the earliest use of stone tools by hominins (early human ancestors) to the advent of agriculture and settled communities. The Paleolithic is subdivided into Lower, Middle, and Upper Paleolithic periods, each characterized by distinct technological and cultural developments.

During the Paleolithic Period, early humans were primarily nomadic hunter-gatherers, relying on hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants for sustenance. The development of stone tools, the mastery of fire, and the creation of simple art are notable features of this era. The end of the Paleolithic marked the beginning of the Neolithic Period, characterized by the emergence of agriculture and the shift from a nomadic to a settled way of life.

The settlement of the first humans in the Levant is generally associated with the Lower Paleolithic Period. The Paleolithic spans from approximately ==1.8 million years ago to around 20,000 BCE==. During this period, early hominins, such as Homo erectus, were using simple stone tools. Archaeological evidence suggests that these early humans were mobile hunter-gatherers.
They would have been part of a broader trend of human migration and adaptation to different environments during this early stage of human prehistory.

It's important to note that the specific timeframes and classifications within the Paleolithic Period can vary based on regional archaeological findings and evolving research.