What period is commonly referred to as the "Old Stone Age"?

The "Old Stone Age" is known as the Paleolithic period. This period is characterized by the development of the first stone tools and represents the earliest and most extensive phase of human cultural and technological development. It spans from the emergence of hominins around 2.6 million years ago until about 10,000 years ago, leading up to the end of the last Ice Age.

During the Paleolithic, humans lived primarily as hunter-gatherers, relying on foraging for food and utilizing basic tools made from chipped stone. This era includes significant cultural advancements, such as the creation of art depicted in cave paintings and carvings, as well as the development of social structures.

Other periods mentioned in the question refer to different stages of human prehistory. The Mesolithic period, for example, serves as a transitional phase between the Paleolithic and the Neolithic, characterized by more advanced tools and the beginnings of settled life but does not encompass the same extensive time frame as the Paleolithic. The Neolithic period marks the advent of agriculture and permanent settlements, significantly altering human lifestyles from those of the Paleolithic. Finally, the Lower Paleolithic is a subdivision within the Paleolithic, focusing on the earliest part of that era, but does not encompass