Mesolithic to Neolithic: Quick Reference

Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age)

• Meaning: Mesolithic = Middle Stone Age; era between Paleolithic and Neolithic

• Lifestyle: nomadic hunter-gatherers; move from place to place

• Domestication: first animals domesticated progressively; dogs are the first domesticated animal

• Use of fire: humans begin to use and control fire

• Relationship with animals: animals begin living with humans; dogs become close companions

Neolithic (New Stone Age)

• Meaning: Neolithic = New Stone Age

• Tools: shift from chipped stones to polished stone tools

• Economy: transition from hunting and gathering to farming (agriculture)

• Consequences: first major revolution in human history; population growth and settlement formation

• Social changes: food surplus enables larger populations and the development of settled communities and more complex societies

Quick contrasts and key concepts

• Nomadic vs. sedentary: nomadic = move from place to place; sedentary = stay in one place

• Agricultural revolution: turning point where farming becomes the dominant food source

• Significance: agriculture leads to stable food supply, population increase, and social/cultural changes