Definition

Noun: - The earliest subdivision of the Paleolithic period: The Lower Paleolithic is the oldest and longest phase of the Old Stone Age, characterized by the first use of stone tools, including simple choppers and, later, hand axes. - A specific archaeological era: It denotes the time period from the earliest known tool use (around 3.3 million years ago) until approximately 300,000 to 120,000 years ago, preceding the Middle Paleolithic.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Acheulean hand axe is a characteristic tool of the Lower Paleolithic.
  • Fossils of Homo erectus are commonly associated with the Lower Paleolithic period.
  • Archaeologists study sites from the Lower Paleolithic to understand the origins of human technology.

Advanced Usage

• "Lower Paleolithic archaeology": The scientific study of material remains from this earliest Stone Age period.
  • Her research focuses on Lower Paleolithic archaeology in East Africa.
• "Lower Paleolithic hominins": Refers to early human species, such as and , that lived during this era.
  • The migration of Lower Paleolithic hominins out of Africa was a major event in human prehistory.

Variants and Related Words

• Paleolithic (adjective/noun): Relating to or denoting the early phase of the Stone Age. The broader period divided into Lower, Middle, and Upper Paleolithic.
• Early Stone Age: A synonym often used interchangeably with Lower Paleolithic.
• Oldowan: The earliest widespread stone tool industry of the Lower Paleolithic, characterized by simple flakes and choppers.
• Acheulean: A later, more advanced stone tool industry within the Lower Paleolithic, known for its distinctive hand axes.

Synonyms

• Early Paleolithic
• Early Stone Age

Related Phrases

• Lower Paleolithic site: A specific location where artifacts or fossils from this period are found.
  • Olorgesailie in Kenya is a famous Lower Paleolithic site.
• Lower Paleolithic technology: Refers to the methods and types of tools (primarily lithic) produced during this era.
  • The development of Lower Paleolithic technology marks a key step in human cognitive evolution.

Noun

1. the oldest part of the Paleolithic Age with the emergence of the hand ax; ended about 120,000 years ago