Archilithic

/ˌɑːrkɪˈlɪθɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to the earliest stone tools or stone age period; extremely ancient in terms of stone-based technology.

Etymology

From archi- (first, earliest) + -lithic (relating to stone, from Greek lithos). The term describes the most primitive phase of stone tool use by humans.

Kelly Says

Archaeologists debate whether 'archilithic' applies to the oldest known stone tools (3+ million years old) or theoretical earlier ones—it's the linguistic way of saying 'the stone age before we have evidence of the stone age.'

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