Beginning of the Paleolithic Era
The Paleolithic era, also known as the Old Stone Age, began around 2.5 million years ago with the earliest known use of stone tools by hominins.
2.5 million years ago
1.8 million years ago
Homo erectus Emergence
Homo erectus, an early human species, appeared around 1.8 million years ago, marking significant advancements in tool use and social organization during the Paleolithic era.
1.5 million years ago
Acheulean Tool Industry
The Acheulean tool industry, characterized by hand axes and cleavers, began around 1.5 million years ago, representing a major technological development in the Lower Paleolithic.
500,000 years ago
Control of Fire
Evidence suggests that early humans, including Homo erectus, began to control fire around 500,000 years ago, providing warmth, protection, and a means to cook food.
300,000 years ago
Emergence of Homo sapiens
Homo sapiens, the species to which all modern humans belong, first appeared around 300,000 years ago in Africa.
250,000 years ago
Middle Paleolithic Period
The Middle Paleolithic period began around 250,000 years ago, characterized by the development of the Mousterian tool industry and the use of more sophisticated stone tools.
200,000 years ago
Neanderthals
Neanderthals, a close relative of modern humans, thrived during the Middle Paleolithic, with evidence of complex social behaviors and burial practices.
100,000 years ago
Expansion of Homo sapiens
Homo sapiens began to migrate out of Africa around 100,000 years ago, spreading across Europe and Asia during the Paleolithic era.
50,000 years ago
Upper Paleolithic Revolution
The Upper Paleolithic period, starting around 50,000 years ago, saw a significant increase in cultural and technological complexity, including the creation of art and advanced tools.
40,000 years ago
Cave Art
Early humans began creating cave art around 40,000 years ago, with famous examples found in sites like Chauvet and Lascaux in France.
35,000 years ago
Venus Figurines
The Venus figurines, small statuettes of women, appeared around 35,000 years ago, representing some of the earliest known forms of portable art.
30,000 years ago
Extinction of Neanderthals
Neanderthals went extinct around 30,000 years ago, with the last known populations living in Europe.
20,000 years ago
Last Glacial Maximum
The Last Glacial Maximum, the peak of the last Ice Age, occurred around 20,000 years ago, significantly impacting human populations during the Paleolithic era.
15,000 years ago
Domestication of Dogs
Evidence suggests that dogs were first domesticated by humans around 15,000 years ago, during the Upper Paleolithic period.
10,000 BCE
End of the Paleolithic Era
The Paleolithic era came to an end around 10,000 BCE, transitioning into the Neolithic period marked by the advent of agriculture and settled communities.
