The Paleolithic Age is typically subdivided into three main parts: the Lower Paleolithic, the Middle Paleolithic, and the Upper Paleolithic. These divisions are based on changes in stone tool technology and cultural behaviors over different time periods.

There were many periods of what is referred to as the Stone Age. These periods were the Lower Paleolithic, Early Stone Age, Middle Paleolithic, Middle Stone Age, Upper Paleolithic, and the Late Stone Age.

The Stone Age period that lasted the longest was the Paleolithic period, spanning from around 2.5 million years ago to about 10,000 years ago. The Paleolithic period is further divided into Lower, Middle, and Upper Paleolithic stages.

An Acheulian is someone who was alive during a lower Paleolithic period, a time in which the first hand axes were used.