The term 'Stone Age' is used by archaeologists to describe the prehistoric period when humans developed stone and flint to use as tools. A division of the stone age into old and new was first proposed by Jens Jacob Worsaae in 1859. The sub-divisions Palaeolithic (old), Mesolithic (middle) and Neolithic (new) (lithic means stone), were first suggested by John Lubbock in his book Prehistoric Times, written in 1865. These three terms are still used today. The transition out of the neolithic stone age into the bronze age occurred between 6000 BC and 2500 BC in North Africa, Asia and Europe. This was a long gradual process and stone and bronze (copper and tin alloy) tools were used side by side.

It was through the discovery of stone tools made by man, which was first suggested by Perthes when he found worked flint tools in the gravel pits of the Somme in 1847, that archaeologists began to realise the antiquity of man, far earlier than previously thought. Evans and Prestwick authenticated this theory after re-examining Perthes's discoveries.

John Evans was very interested in stone tools and collected a large quantity from countries across the world as well as the British Isles. The vast collection of these objects were given to the Ashmolean Museum by his son Arthur Evans, but some of the stone tools from Africa, Asia and America were subsequently given to the Pitt Rivers Museum.

Further References / Links:

John Lubbock, Prehistoric Times, 1865