Prehistory
Prehistory
Prehistory (/priːˈhɪstəri/; from the Latin præ, "before" and historia, "history") refers to the period of time before written records. The use of the word varies between different fields of study, and in some cases, such as in discussions of the Ice Age, it may refer to a time when there were human beings, but society had not yet developed to the point of keeping written records.
Etymology
The term "prehistory" comes from the Latin words præ, meaning "before", and historia, meaning "history". It was first used in the early 19th century by French scholars, who were seeking to describe the time period before the existence of written records.
Related Terms
- Archaeology: The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains.
- Paleolithic: The earliest period of the Stone Age, during which primitive stone implements were used. The Paleolithic Period dates from about 2.6 million years ago to about 10,000 years ago.
- Neolithic: The later part of the Stone Age, when ground or polished stone weapons and implements prevailed. The Neolithic Period dates from about 10,000 years ago to as early as 4500 to 2000 BC.
- Bronze Age: The period of ancient human culture characterized by the use of bronze that started between 3000 and 2500 BC and ended with the advent of the Iron Age.
- Iron Age: The period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Prehistory
- Wikipedia's article - Prehistory
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