prehistoric

Prehistoric refers to the period of human history before the existence of written records. The term is used mainly in archaeology, anthropology, and paleontology and denotes a temporal designation rather than a specific culture. Its exact boundaries vary by region, because different societies began writing at different times. In many parts of Europe and the Near East, prehistory ends around 3,000 to 1,500 BCE, when writing becomes more common, but in other regions writing arose much later or is absent altogether.

Prehistory is commonly divided into the Stone Age—Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic—and, in places where applicable, the Metal Ages (Bronze Age, Iron Age). The earliest chapters cover the emergence of Homo sapiens and related species, tool use, hunting and gathering, and early symbolic behavior such as cave art. The transition to agriculture, animal domestication, settled communities, and eventually urbanization marks later prehistoric development in many regions.

Evidence for prehistoric life and cultures comes from fossils, stone and bone tools, pottery fragments, plant and animal remains, and cave paintings. Dating methods such as radiocarbon dating, dendrochronology, and luminescence dating help place finds in time, while stratigraphy establishes relative sequences. The term is sometimes contrasted with protohistory, where written records exist but are limited, and with history, which begins with abundant written documentation.