The Earlier Stone Age is a period of African prehistory (∼2 million-years- ago to ∼250 thousand-years-ago) that is represented at several archaeological sites across southern Africa. During this time, our human ancestors manufactured and used stone tools. Tool types and forms changed over time and varied across geographic space. Researchers categorize this variability into different industries, which include the Oldowan, Acheulean, Fauresmith, Bembesi, Charaman, and Sangoan. The Earlier Stone Age record of southern Africa contributes to several “big questions” about human evolution, including the origins of hunting, control of fire, language, and cultural diversity.