The Middle Paleolithic is a period in human prehistory that lasted from about 300,000 to 30,000 years ago. It is characterized by the development of more sophisticated stone tools, particularly the use of the Levallois technique, which allowed for the production of sharp flakes from a prepared core. This era is primarily associated with early human species such as Neanderthals and the ancestors of modern humans, known as Homo sapiens. During the Middle Paleolithic, humans began to exhibit more complex behaviors, including the use of fire, the creation of symbolic art, and the development of social structures. Evidence of burial practices and the use of personal ornaments suggests a growing cognitive complexity and cultural expression among these early populations.