Definition

Noun: 1. A stone tool from the Neolithic Age: An artifact, typically a weapon or implement, crafted from stone and dating to the later part of the Stone Age, characterized by the development of agriculture and polished stone tools.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The museum's collection includes a finely crafted neolith used for grinding grain.
  • Archaeologists discovered several neoliths at the ancient farming settlement.
  • This particular neolith is a polished axe head, indicative of advanced toolmaking techniques.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in academic and archaeological contexts to specify the cultural and technological period of a stone artifact, distinguishing it from earlier Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) tools.
  • The transition from crude Paleolithic flakes to polished neoliths marks a significant advancement in human prehistory.

Variants and Related Words

• Neolithic (adjective): Of or relating to the latest period of the Stone Age.
  • Neolithic settlements were often located near reliable water sources.
• Neolithic Age (proper noun): The archaeological period, also known as the New Stone Age.

Synonyms

• Stone tool: A general term for any tool made from stone.
• Neolithic artifact: A broader term that can include non-tool items from the same period.

Notes on Meaning

• The word "neolith" specifically denotes an object's origin in the Neolithic period. It is not a general term for any ancient stone item but is defined by its historical and cultural context.

Noun

1. a stone tool from the Neolithic Age