Neolithic

[nee-uh-lith-ik]

adjective

1. (sometimes lowercase),  of, relating to, or characteristic of the last phase of the Stone Age, marked by the domestication of animals, the development of agriculture, and the manufacture of pottery and textiles: commonly thought to have begun c9000–8000 b.c. in the Middle East.

2. (usually lowercase),  belonging to or remaining from an earlier era; outdated; passé.

Neolithic

/ ˌniːəʊˈlɪθɪk /

noun

1. the cultural period that lasted in SW Asia from about 9000 to 6000 _bc and in Europe from about 4000 to 2400 _bc and was characterized by primitive crop growing and stock rearing and the use of polished stone and flint tools and weapons

adjective

1. relating to this period

Neolithic

1. The period of human culture that began around 10,000 years ago in the Middle East and later in other parts of the world. It is characterized by the beginning of farming, the domestication of animals, the development of crafts such as pottery and weaving, and the making of polished stone tools. The Neolithic Period is generally considered to end for any particular region with the introduction of metalworking, writing, or other developments of urban civilization.

2. Also called New Stone Age

3. Compare Mesolithic Paleolithic

Other Word Forms

• preneolithic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Neolithic¹

First recorded in 1860–65; neo- + -lithic

Example Sentences

New analysis of a Neolithic cow's tooth found at Stonehenge shows the animal likely came from Wales, reinforcing theories that cattle helped to transport the enormous stones.

From BBC

The team also found evidence of the area being used as a human burial site during the Neolithic period.

From BBC

European elk were originally widespread in Britain but were hunted to extinction in the Neolithic era.

From BBC

Combining the radiocarbon dates with archaeological information revealed that early Neolithic activity, including the digging of pits, took place around 3,650BC.

From BBC

Almost five millennia ago, hundreds of engraved, disc-shaped stones were deposited in a giant pit at the Neolithic Vasagård site on the small Danish island of Bornholm.

From Salon