Mesolithic

[ mez-uh-lith-ik, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

, Anthropology.

of, relating to, or characteristic of a transitional period of the Stone Age intermediate between the Paleolithic and the Neolithic periods, characterized by adaptation to a hunting, collecting, and fishing economy based on the use of forest, lakeside, and seashore environments; Epipaleolithic.

Mesolithic

/ ˌmɛsəʊˈlɪθɪk /

noun

the period between the Palaeolithic and the Neolithic, in Europe from about 12 000 to 3000 bc , characterized by the appearance of microliths

adjective

of or relating to the Mesolithic

Mesolithic

/ mĕz′ə-lĭth′ĭk /

The cultural period of the Stone Age that developed primarily in Europe between the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, beginning around 10,000 years ago and lasting in various places as late as 3000 bce . The Mesolithic is marked by the appearance of small-bladed, often hafted stone tools and weapons and by the beginnings of settled communities. European Mesolithic cultures existed contemporaneously with the early Neolithic cultures of the Middle East and disappeared in any particular region with the introduction of agriculture.
Also called Middle Stone Age
Compare Neolithic

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Mesolithic¹

First recorded in 1865–70; meso- + -lithic

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Example Sentences

The tremendous number of pierced shell beads and pendants found with Neve show very young females were afforded personhood in this Mesolithic society, despite the fact such young infants were unable to contribute materially to essential tasks.

From Nautilus

Yet during the palæolithic and the first half of the mesolithic epochs this legion formed the most numerous group of fishes.

From Project Gutenberg

Attempts have been made to bridge the gap by means of a “mesolithic” period (μέσος, middle); but it would Mesolithic.

From Project Gutenberg

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