section_path: North America/Lithic and Archaic periods
section_name: Lithic and Archaic periods
paragraph_text: Lithic and Archaic periods
  
  The North American climate was unstable as the ice age receded during the Lithic stage. It finally stabilized about 10,000 years ago; climatic conditions were then very similar to today's. Within this time frame, roughly about the Archaic Period, numerous archaeological cultures have been identified.