The correct answer is: c) Neolithic.
The Neolithic is the final division of the Stone Age, preceded by the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods. It is characterized by the development of agriculture, permanent settlements, and the use of polished stone tools.
The Paleolithic period is the longest period of the Stone Age, lasting from about 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. It is characterized by the use of stone tools and the hunting and gathering of food.
The Mesolithic period is a transitional period between the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, lasting from about 10,000 to 5,000 years ago. It is characterized by the development of new technologies, such as the bow and arrow, and the beginning of the domestication of plants and animals.
The Iron Age is the final period of the Stone Age, lasting from about 5,000 to 1,200 years ago. It is characterized by the development of ironworking technology and the use of iron tools and weapons.
The introduction of agriculture marks the beginning of the Neolithic period because it was a major turning point in human history. Agriculture allowed humans to produce their own food, which led to a more stable and sedentary lifestyle. It also led to the development of new technologies, such as pottery and the wheel, and the rise of social complexity.