the paleolithic period was when humans first began to develop tools. During the Paleolithic, hominins grouped together in small societies such as bands, and subsisted by gathering plants and fishing, hunting or scavenging wild animals.
Paleolithic is characterized by the use of stone tools, although at the time humans also used wood and bone tools. Other organic commodities were adapted for use as tools, including leather and vegetable fibers.
this period lasted from about 2.5 to 2 million years ago
after the paleolithic period comes the Mesolithic.