Which era is characterized by the use of hand-axes and chopper tools?

The era characterized by the use of hand-axes and chopper tools is the Lower Paleolithic period. This time period marks the beginning of the Stone Age, and it is significant because it witnesses the earliest development and use of stone tools by hominins. The tools from the Lower Paleolithic include simple chopping and hand-axes, commonly associated with early human ancestors.

These tools were made primarily through a technique called knapping, which involved striking stones to create sharp edges for cutting and processing materials. The emergence of these tools represents crucial advancements in technology and adaptation by early hominins, allowing them to hunt, gather, and process food more effectively.

In contrast, the Middle Paleolithic period is known for more refined tools, such as those associated with Neanderthals, including flake tools and Mousterian technology. The Upper Paleolithic period saw an explosion of tool variety and sophistication, with the emergence of specialized implements and artistic expressions. The Neolithic period is notable for the development of agriculture, domestication of animals, and polished stone tools, distinctly different from the tool types found in the Lower Paleolithic.