The
Middle Paleolithic (or
Middle Palaeolithic) is the second subdivision of the
Paleolithic or Old
Stone Age as it is understood in
Europe,
Africa and
Asia. The term
Middle Stone Age is used as an equivalent or a synonym for the Middle Paleolithic in African archeology. The Middle Paleolithic and the Middle Stone Age broadly spanned from 300,000 to 30,000 years ago. There are considerable dating differences between regions. The Middle Paleolithic/Middle Stone Age was succeeded by the
Upper Paleolithic subdivision which first began between 50,000 and 40,000 years ago.