The three prehistoric ages are the Stone Age , the Bronze Age , and the Iron Age. This classification is known as the "three-age system," developed in the 19th century to organize human prehistory based on the primary materials used for tools and weapons.
Stone Age
- The earliest period, characterized by the use of stone tools.
- Subdivided into the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and Neolithic (New Stone Age).
- Humans were mostly hunter-gatherers at first, then developed farming and permanent settlements by the Neolithic.
Bronze Age
- Marked by the use of bronze to make tools and weapons.
- Represented a period of early civilization with craft, trade, and urban centers.
- Followed the Stone Age and preceded the Iron Age.
Iron Age
- The period when iron became the dominant material for tools and weapons.
- Featured more specialization, trade, taxes, and the rise of larger societies such as kingdoms and empires.
These ages form a relative chronological framework largely applicable to Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Near East, although variations exist worldwide.
