Prehistory

Prehistory

The prehistory is the period of human life prior written documents . This period is known for vestiges such as instruments, constructions, cave paintings or bones. The term is also used to name the study of that period and the work that deals with the time.

The prehistory , therefore, extends from the appearance of the first human to the invention of writing (about 3,000 BC). Its limits are not exact (writing did not develop at the same time in all regions of the planet, for example), while some historians argue that history should encompass all human events and, therefore, can not exist prehistory as usually mentioned.

According to the continent in question, we have some differences in terms of classifying Prehistory. Thus, for example, in Europe it is established that it is made up of two large groups: the Stone Age and the Age of Metals. The latter, on the other hand, is divided into Chalcolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age.

In the case of America, for its part, this classification is established in four clearly delimited stages that would be the Lithic Period, the Archaic Period, the Formative Period and finally the threshold.

However, it is generally considered that Prehistory is made up of three periods:

Paleolithic (2,500,000 years - 6,000 years). Of this time the most significant thing is that the human being used for his tasks stones carved as well as sticks and bones. It was here that the fire was discovered and we must also emphasize the fact that man exercised not only as a gatherer but also as a hunter.

Neolithic (5,000 years ago). It is at this stage that the first settlements appear, since man ceases to be a nomad. The reason for this to occur is that it discovers what agriculture and livestock are. She is already starting to polish stones, ceramics and even textiles.

Age of metals. There are three phases that occurred in this period: Copper Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age, which bear their name based on the material that man was using to a greater extent.

In general, it is usually considered that the end of prehistory and the beginning of history is marked by various processes that include the modification of habitat, the emergence of administrative power, the advance of socialization and the intensification of commercial exchanges.

The archeology , specialty that studies societies through their material remains, is the science that handles regard to prehistory. It has the support of auxiliary sciences such as anthropology and ethnography .

Prehistory is also used to name the period in which a certain cultural, scientific, political, etc. movement is incubated. ( "The 1960s was the prehistory of the Internet" ) and the period that precedes a moment of special significance ( "The prehistory of the NBA is in the mythical parties of the ABA" ).