mesolithic, a.
(mɛsəʊˈlɪθɪk)
[f. Gr. µέσο-ς middle + λίθος stone + -ic.]
1. Geol. Used for mesozoic. rare.
| 1876 Ray Lankester tr. Haeckel's Hist. Creat. II. xv. 12 The mesolithic or mesozoic epoch. |
2. Archæol. Belonging to a part of the prehistoric ‘stone age’ intermediate between the palæolithic and the neolithic.
| 1866 Jrnl. Anthropol. Soc. IV. p. clxxxiv, The author [sc. H. M. Westropp] described in some detail the characteristic forms of the gravel drift, flint implements of Ireland, and polished stone implements. The following terms were proposed by the author to distinguish them—Palæolithic, Mesolithic, Kainolithic. 1888 Pall Mall G. 2 Apr. 10/1 Penka's attempt, in his ‘Herkunft der Arier’, to make out a mesolithic age. 1892 J. A. Brown in Jrnl. Anthrop. Inst. XXII. 94, I venture to suggest the following four divisions... 1. Eolithic... 2. Palæolithic... 3. Mesolithic... 4. Neolithic. 1932 Jrnl. R. Anthrop. Inst. LXII. 257 Until recently the true Mesolithic was unknown in Palestine, although it was the custom among local archaeologists to describe as such the industry containing small unpolished axes or adzes which is found so abundantly on the surface all over the country. 1936, 1970 [see epipalæolithic a.]. 1975 Guardian 21 Jan. 6/3 The Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age. Ibid. 6/7 Mesolithic man achieved partial domestication of the red deer. |