Archaeologists divide the early age of humankind into three periods: Paleolithic (Paleo means old and lithic means stone), Mesolithic (Meso means middle) and Neolithic (Neo means new). The duration of the Old Stone Age is from 240,000 to 80,000, Middle Stone Age is from 80,000 to 40.000 and the New Stone Age is from 40,000 to 10,000 years.

Our information about these periods derives from archaeological findings which contain tools, instruments and pottery used by the ancient people. On the basis of these findings we are in a position to know about the activities of early human beings and how they struggled for their survival.

Hunting and gathering

In the Old Stone Age, people did not have settled life but they wandered from one place to another in search of food. They took refuge in caves to protect themselves from wild animals or the weather. As wandering people they did not have much baggage to carry. They kept only those things which they required in their daily life, and little else beyond that.

The simple lifestyle did not require inventing anything which was complex. They also did not have any attachment to land, as they were not cultivators; therefore, without settling in one place, they produced no major cultural values. They had a close relationship with domesticated animals which were their companions in ups and downs of life.

The early people’s source of food was either hunting or gathering edible plants. However, their relation with nature was very close. As they did not have any settlements, they did not leave behind any memorials.