Which of the following periods is NOT part of the Holocene?

The Paleolithic period is not part of the Holocene. The Holocene epoch, which began approximately 11,700 years ago, marks the beginning of the current geological epoch following the last Ice Age. It is characterized by significant developments in human culture and the establishment of agriculture.

The Paleolithic period, often referred to as the Old Stone Age, predates the Holocene and extends from the earliest known use of stone tools by hominins around 3.3 million years ago until about 10,000 years ago. It encompasses a time when humans were primarily hunter-gatherers and lived in small nomadic groups.

The other periods mentioned—Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Modern Era—are all part of or follow the Holocene. The Mesolithic follows the Paleolithic and is characterized by a transitional phase of lifestyles, while the Neolithic marks the development of farming and settled communities. The Modern Era typically refers to recent history, which is also recognized within the Holocene framework as societies further evolved.