Prehistory comes from the Latin word "prae" which means before, and the Greek word "iotopia" that means history. Prehistory therefore refers to the period before the availability of the written history. This term has been applied in French since the 1830s. Its introduction to English was done by Daniel Wilson in the year 1851.
The date that marks the end of prehistory (the date when historical records started becoming useful academic resources), varies from region to region. For example, in Egypt, prehistory is believed to have ended around 3500 BC. In New Guinea, prehistory is believed to have ended much more recently at around 1900 AD.
AGE SYSTEMS.
Before the arrival of humans, the term geologic time scale defines periods in prehistory. Human prehistory is subdivided by a three-age system. The system of classification of the human prehistory leads to the creation of 3 consecutive time periods that are named with respect to their predominant tool-making technologies.
These general systems of subdividing prehistory are increasingly becoming inapplicable since archaeological discoveries suggest much more complex views of the same (prehistory). The groups of the three-age system are:
> Stone Age. Under this period, there are three other periods which are, Paleolithic Period, Mesolithic Period and Neolithic Period.
> Bronze Age.
> Iron Age.
The 3 age system refers to a system of classification of the prehistory of humans into three consecutive time periods on the basis of their respective predominant tool-making technologies.
This system is most suitable in the description of the progression of European society, but it has also been used in the description of other histories.
STONE AGE AND ITS PEOPLE.
The term Stone Age refers to a period in the prehistoric time when humans widely used stone for purposes of making tools.
Stone tools were made from different stone kinds. For example, chert and flint were chipped or shaped for use as weapons and also as cutting tools.
The old stone age, which is also known as the paleolithic period, started with Homo habilis. About 1.75 million years ago, the Homo erectus appeared. This Homo erectus which is also known as the upright man, spread from Africa to as far as Asia and Europe. Homo erectus is believed to have had a bigger brain than the Homo habilis, and also to have made better tools. Homo erectus was probably the very first human to use fire. About 400,000 years ago, another human being Homo sapiens, came on the scene. it was referred to as the wise man. The neanderthals people who were named after a German valley, lived in the middle East as well as Europe until about 35,000 years ago.
PREHISTORIC CULTURE.
Two types of Homo sapiens are believed to have lived side by side. these are the neanderthals (early Homo sapiens) and a subspecies, which was known as Homo sapiens sapiens. The Homo sapiens sapiens looked more like the modern human beings. The Homo sapiens lacked a chin and they were much larger. They made use of simple tools and there is a probability that they had developed a language for purposes of communication.
