Which period saw the use of refined flake stone tools?

The period that is most closely associated with the use of refined flake stone tools is the Mesolithic period. This era marked a transition between the hunting and gathering ways of the Paleolithic and the agricultural practices that characterized the Neolithic. During the Mesolithic, tools became more specialized, with the development of microliths—small, sharp flakes that were often used as components of composite tools. These refined flake tools were produced by advanced knapping techniques that allowed for greater precision and functionality.

The other periods, while significant in their own right, did not emphasize the use of refined flake stone tools to the same extent. The Paleolithic is known for the earliest stone tools and large tool types, while the Neolithic is characterized more by the advent of agriculture and polished stone tools rather than refined flake tools. Therefore, the Mesolithic period clearly stands out as the era when refined flake stone tools were predominantly used.