"The period of human history between the first known use of stone tools by hominins c. 3.3 million years ago and the beginning of recorded history with the invention of writing systems."
The study of human societies before written history.
Paleolithic Period: The oldest and longest period of prehistory, spanning from the emergence of the first humans, around 2.5 million years ago, until the end of the last ice age, around 10,000 BCE. This period is characterized by the use of stone tools, hunting and gathering, and the emergence of early forms of art and symbolic communication.
Neolithic Revolution: The transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture, which gave rise to settled communities, the domestication of animals, and the development of tools and technologies. This period also saw the emergence of social hierarchies, trade networks, and the development of writing.
Mesopotamia: The region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, where the first civilization emerged in the fourth millennium BCE. This area is known for its invention of writing, architecture, law, and the first systems of government and religion.
Egypt: One of the earliest and longest-lasting civilizations in history, which emerged along the Nile River around 3100 BCE. Known for its monumental architecture, hieroglyphic writing, advanced mathematics and astronomy, and complex religious beliefs and practices.
Indus Valley Civilization: A civilization that emerged in the Indus River valley, in present-day Pakistan and India, around 2600 BCE. Known for its sophisticated urban planning, advanced water management systems, and the use of writing that is still not fully deciphered.
Bronze Age: A period marked by the widespread use of bronze, a metal alloy made of copper and tin. This period saw the emergence of complex societies, the development of trade networks, and the rise of some of the first empires, such as those of the Hittites and the Mycenaeans.
Megalithic Culture: A culture that emerged in different parts of the world, characterized by the construction of massive stone structures, such as dolmens, menhirs, and burial tombs. This culture is associated with funerary practices, astronomical observation, and the use of sacred landscapes.
Iron Age: A period marked by the widespread use of iron, which allowed for the production of more durable and efficient tools and weapons. This period saw the emergence of classical civilizations, such as those of Greece, Rome, and China, and the development of new ideas in philosophy, religion, and science.
"The earliest known writing systems appeared c. 5,000 years ago."
"It took thousands of years for writing systems to be widely adopted, with writing spreading to almost all cultures by the 19th century."
"The end of prehistory therefore came at very different times in different places."
"In the early Bronze Age, Sumer in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley Civilisation, and ancient Egypt were the first civilizations to develop their own scripts and to keep historical records."
"The three-age division of prehistory into Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age remains in use for much of Eurasia and North Africa."
"Oceania, Australasia, much of Sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of the Americas."
"For example, 1788 is usually taken as the end of the prehistory of Australia."
"The period when a culture is written about by others, but has not developed its own writing system is often known as the protohistory of the culture."
"These were at first understood by the collection of folklore and by analogy with pre-literate societies observed in modern times."
"The key step to understanding prehistoric evidence is dating."
"More recent techniques include forensic chemical analysis to reveal the use and provenance of materials, and genetic analysis of bones to determine kinship and physical characteristics of prehistoric peoples." Please note that the given paragraph does not have 20 distinct statements or facts that can be turned into study questions.