The correct answer is: A) Lower Paleolithic Age
Handaxes and cleavers are characteristic tools of the Lower Paleolithic Age, which is the first and longest of the three periods of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age. It began about 2.58 million years ago and ended about 200,000 years ago. The Lower Paleolithic Age is characterized by the use of simple stone tools, such as handaxes and cleavers. These tools were made by chipping away at a piece of stone until it had the desired shape. Handaxes were used for a variety of purposes, such as cutting, chopping, and scraping. Cleavers were used for butchering animals.
The Upper Paleolithic Age began about 50,000 years ago and ended about 10,000 years ago. It is characterized by the development of more sophisticated stone tools, such as projectile points and blades. These tools were made by flaking a piece of stone until it had a thin, sharp edge. Projectile points were used for hunting, while blades were used for a variety of purposes, such as cutting, scraping, and carving.
The Mesolithic Age began about 10,000 years ago and ended about 5,000 years ago. It is characterized by the transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more settled agricultural lifestyle. During the Mesolithic Age, people began to domesticate plants and animals. They also began to make more sophisticated tools, such as polished stone axes and pottery.
The Neolithic Age began about 5,000 years ago and ended about 3,000 years ago. It is characterized by the development of agriculture and the rise of the first civilizations. During the Neolithic Age, people began to live in permanent settlements and to develop specialized occupations. They also began to make more sophisticated tools, such as metal tools and weapons.