Final answer:
The crude tools from the Paleolithic phase were used for hunting and gathering, which corresponds to option a) Paleolithic, hunting and gathering. These tools were not considered art but were essential for survival during the era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The crude tools found during the Paleolithic phase of the Paleolithic period were intended for practical purposes like hunting and gathering. In the Paleolithic era, early humans were predominantly hunter-gatherers and relied on tools made of stone, bone, and wood to assist in acquiring food. Specific tools such as Oldowan and Acheulean hand-axes were developed for a variety of purposes including cutting, scraping, and chopping, integral to their survival.
The correct answer to the question is a) Paleolithic, hunting and gathering. During this time, the use of tools was not for artistic purposes but rather for survival, making weapons for hunting and tools for processing food. As the Paleolithic era progressed, humans did begin to produce works of art, but this occurred towards the end of the era, not during its beginnings when basic tools were prevalent.