The Neolithic Era was a time period during Earth's Prehistory. It occurred after the last Ice Age, which marked the end of the Paleolithic Era, and continued until the emergence of historical civilization and the Bronze Age. When the Ice Age ended, the Earth went into a great warming phase. This warming created a pleasant climate in which people were able to develop complex societies such as cities and farms. Consequently, it was during this time that people first migrated to the Americas and Australia.