Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) is the earliest part of human history. It lasted from about 2.5 million years ago to around 10,000 BCE. During this time, humans lived as hunter-gatherers.

People used simple stone tools and learned to control fire. Cave paintings, such as those in Lascaux in France, show animals and daily life. Humans lived in small groups and moved often to find food.

Evidence of Paleolithic life has been found across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Archaeologists study tools and art to learn about early human behavior.