KS2 History: The Stone Age

• The 3 periods of The Stone Age
• A timeline showing the chronological order of the period
• Life for a Stone Age ‘Hunter Gatherer’
• Tools used in the early Stone Age
• The development of tools during the 3 periods
• How Neolithic people began farming and building
• Changes in the landscape
• The discovery of Skara Brae
• Artefacts and archaeologists and what they tell us
• Comparisons with life today

What is the Stone Age?

The Stone Age is a period of human history that lasted from around 2.5 million years ago to around 3,000 BCE. Throughout the Stone Age, people used stone tools and weapons to hunt, gather food, and build shelters.

The Stone Age is divided into three main periods: the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), the Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and the Neolithic (New Stone Age).

The Paleolithic period, which lasted from around 2.5 million years ago to around 12,000 BCE, was characterized by the use of simple stone tools and a nomadic lifestyle. People of the Paleolithic period were hunters and gatherers, relying on wild animals and plants for food. They lived in small groups and made temporary shelters.

The Mesolithic period, which lasted from around 12,000 to 8,000 BCE, saw the development of more advanced stone tools and the beginning of the practice of farming. People of the Mesolithic period began to settle in one place, and they built more permanent shelters. In addition, people also began to domesticate animals and develop new techniques for hunting and fishing.

The Neolithic period, which lasted from around 8,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE, was marked by the invention of agriculture and the domestication of animals. Moreover, people of the Neolithic period built permanent settlements and developed complex societies, and they also made pottery, wove textiles, and created sophisticated stone tools and weapons.

The Stone Age is considered the foundation of human civilization, and it was the period where human beings developed the basic skills and knowledge that would be the foundation of more advanced societies.

Why Learn About the Stone Age

Learning about the Stone Age is important to understand human history, the development of technology, human culture, interaction with the environment, inspiring curiosity and creativity, and as a foundation for future studies. It provides insight into how humans evolved, advanced and interacted with the environment, and it is the foundation of human civilization. Furthermore, it’s also an interesting and fascinating subject that can inspire curiosity and creativity in KS2 learners.

Stone Age KS2 revision and learning materials cover important topics in this pivotal era of human history. So, not only is the Stone Age incredibly interesting, but it also provides a solid foundation for other studies into prehistoric and primitive history.