The study of prehistoric tools and artifacts helps archaeologists understand:

The correct answer is: d) All of the above.

The study of prehistoric tools and artifacts helps archaeologists understand technological advancements, diet and subsistence patterns, and social organization.

• Technological advancements: By studying the tools and artifacts that prehistoric people used, archaeologists can learn about the development of new technologies over time. For example, the invention of the wheel was a major technological advancement that allowed people to travel and transport goods more easily.
• Diet and subsistence patterns: The types of tools and artifacts that prehistoric people used can also provide clues about their diet and subsistence patterns. For example, the presence of hunting tools suggests that people were hunter-gatherers, while the presence of agricultural tools suggests that people were farmers.
• Social organization: The way in which prehistoric people used and disposed of their tools and artifacts can also provide clues about their social organization. For example, the presence of burial goods suggests that people had a belief in an afterlife, while the presence of communally-used tools suggests that people lived in groups.

In conclusion, the study of prehistoric tools and artifacts can provide archaeologists with a wealth of information about the lives of prehistoric people. By studying these objects, archaeologists can learn about technological advancements, diet and subsistence patterns, and social organization.