In which age were stone tools refined and agriculture developed, allowing a transition to settled life?

The Neolithic Age is recognized for significant advancements in human society, particularly with the refinement of stone tools and the development of agriculture. This period, often referred to as the "New Stone Age," marked a pivotal transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to more settled agricultural communities. The introduction of farming allowed people to cultivate crops and domesticate animals, leading to larger, permanent settlements.

This shift in lifestyle enabled populations to grow and facilitated the development of complex societies, as individuals could focus on tasks beyond mere survival. The advancements in tool-making during this age also included polishing techniques that improved the effectiveness of tools for farming, building, and other tasks, which further contributed to the establishment of settled life.

The other ages mentioned, such as the Paleolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages, are associated with different technological and social changes. The Paleolithic Age is primarily associated with the use of basic stone tools and a nomadic lifestyle. The Bronze and Iron Ages denote advancements in metallurgy rather than the foundational developments in agriculture and settled life that characterize the Neolithic.