The lower paleolithic period covers the major part of the quaternary era. Flora of lild climate and extinct animal species. The only human witness is the jaw-bone of Mauer (Germany).

The middle paleolithic period is marked by the first part of the last ice age which contributed to the introduction of the mammoth, the reindeer and the wooly rhinoceros. Humans at that time were rather developed; they buried their deads and demonstrated some basic interest in religion and esthetic.

The upper paleolithic period corresponds to the 2nd push of the end of the ice age ending around some 10000 thousands years before our era. It is also a time of frequent droughts. Whereas the horses, buffalos, oxen, and reindeers were at large number , the mammoth and the wooly rhinoceros tend to disapear. The " homo sapien " replaces the Neandertal human who appeared at the end of the middle paleolithic period. Instruments are improving : knives and piercers become current. Ochre and manganese are the major mineral colorings.

It is the short period from 10000 to 5000 before our era which follows the end of the ice age and before the agricultural time. Picking and hunting are important activities; the way of life and economical conditions change very rapidly.

It is a very short period from 2500 before our era during which agriculture and cattle raising expand all over the West, and metallurgy develops in the Mediterranean and the Middle-East. Copper and bronze will appear around 1500 before our era and iron 1000 years before our era.