The Stone Age

The Stone Age is a broad prehistoric time period during which species widely used stone for toolmaking. For example, flint and chert were shaped (or chipped) for use as cutting tools and weapons, while basalt and sandstone were used for ground stone tools, such as quern-stones. Wood, bone, shell, antler(deer) and other materials were widely used, as well. During the most recent part of the period, sediments (like clay) were used to make pottery. A series of metal technology innovations characterize the Bronze Age and Iron Age.

The period encompasses the first widespread use of technology in evolution and the spread of the species to the rest of the world. It ends with the development of agriculture, the domestication of certain animals and the smelting of copper ore to produce metal. It is termed prehistoric, since said species has not yet started writing -- the traditional start of history (i.e., recorded history).