If we focus only on knowing what it is the history, we can find different definitions, from the study of the past to the study of man from the invention of writing to the present day. But what happened before the story, before writing appeared, what we were, how we lived or how we evolved. If we want to know all these data, we have to use a term capable of encompassing this period before history, and that term is the Prehistory, We are going to study from the appearance of the first hominids to the invention of writing, going through two fundamental periods the Stone Age and the Metal Age.
Prehistory | Definition and Division
If we stick to its definition, prehistory is the time elapsed since the first “humans” appearedprior to Homo Sapies, until man creates the first written texts approximately in the year 3,300 a. c.
But speaking of the end of prehistory based on the creation of written texts limits certain societies that were already organized and structured, leaving them out of history and classifying them within prehistory, a very controversial fact among scholars.
What are the 6 periods of prehistory?
When we talk about prehistory, we must understand that there are several times and stages within this broad period. We are going to see the years they occupy in history and the characteristics of each one of them.
The Stone Age (up to 6,000 BC)
The first stage of the prehistoric period is identified as the Stone Age, which is characterized by the creation of various tools made of this material, both for hunting and for other uses. Technically, this can range from the appearance of the first humans to the use of metal as a tool. Grouped into small groups or clans, humans were primarily nomadic hunter-gatherers (although permanent settlements, agriculture, and ranching had emerged by the end of this era). Three main periods can be distinguished in the Stone Age.
- Paleolithic (2,500,000 BC -10,000 BC)
The Paleolithic is the first period considered prehistoric, from the appearance of the first tools made by man. It is also the longest phase or period. During this period, much of Europe, which was in the glacial stage, froze over. At this point, there are plenty of humans on our side, like Homo habilis or Homo neanderthalensis, who will eventually go extinct. Our diet is based mainly on the collection of fruits and berries and hunting, in which man is a hunter and a gatherer. In fact, this period of the Stone Age can be divided into three: the Lower Paleolithic, the Middle Paleolithic, and the Upper Paleolithic. The Lower Paleolithic is the period from the arrival of man (about two and a half million years ago) to approximately 127,000 BC. The earliest tools found date from this period, and were roughly made of friction-cut stone.
- Mesolithic (10,000 BC- 8,000 BC)
The second period of the Stone Age, known as the Paleolithic, largely corresponds to the end of the last Ice Age. In general, humanity is still mostly nomadic, except for a few colonies that are beginning to flourish. In fact, the first towns began to appear. Complex tools tend to wear out and people are less likely to seek shelter in caves. Another differentiating element, the appearance of the first tombs began.
- Neolithic (8,000 BC- 6,000 BC)
The Neolithic is the end of the Stone Age. This period is characterized by the birth, expansion and gradual improvement of agriculture and livestock. Humans no longer needed to make great migrations in search of herds of animals to hunt, and colonies began to appear that would eventually become great civilizations.
Metal Age (6,000 BC- 600/200 BC)
The so-called Age of Metals corresponds to the period in which stone was no longer used for metal and during which the first civilizations and cultures began to emerge.
- Copper Age (6,000 BC- 3,600 BC)
Copper was one of the first metals to be used as a material to make tools and produce things more efficiently and clearly than stone. Initially it was used without melting, using the same mechanisms that are used with rocks. In time, experiments will begin, and finally metallurgy will emerge.
- Bronze Age (3600-1200 BC)
The period is characterized by the use of copper as a production material. In addition to bronze, he also began to work with other materials such as glass. in the Bronze Age. It was also noted that the body was cremated and the ashes were placed in clay pots. Several ancient cultures emerged, such as the Mycenaean.
- Iron Age (1200 BC- 600/200 BC)
This stage is characterized by the use of iron as a raw material for making tools. This use is quite complex and requires high technology. In fact, this period can already be considered historical, since there were many important civilizations in ancient times and in some places the writing dates back to around 3500 BC. However, the common use of iron did not occur in Europe until the existence of the Roman Empire (one of the reasons, although there is writing, the period is still considered prehistoric)
Prehistory | The Paleolithic or Stone Age
The prehistoric period was not lived the same all over the planet, since neither the appearance of the first hominids, nor their evolution, nor, of course, the invention of writing, were events that occurred at the same time.
But far from the controversy, the accepted periods of prehistory are divided as follows:
sub-saharan africa
Paleolithic of sub-Saharan Africa
Metal Age in sub-Saharan Africa
north west africa
Stone Age North Africa
Metal Age in North Africa
Paleolithic in the Near East
Mesolithic in the Near East
Neolithic in the Near East
Metal Age in the Middle East
Asian Paleolithic
Asian Mesolithic
Asian Neolithic
Asian Metal Age
European Stone Age
Metal Age in Europe
Paleoindian or Lithic Period
archaic period
Formative Period
Prehistory – Stone Age | The Lower Paleolithic
It can be defined as the period of prehistory that ranges from the manipulation of stones, in order to obtain tools, to the beginning of the use of metals. This period comprises practically 90% of prehistory, approximately from about 3 million years ago, to just 10,000 years (it is much longer than the Neolithic). The Stone Age went through three well-differentiated stages called:
- lower paleolithic
- middle paleolithic
- Superior paleolithic
According to the geological epoch, the stone age would correspond to the Pleistocene, a time marked by the last ice ages.
It is in the Lower Paleolithic when the first hominids appear, due to being the longest period, it is at this time that the first hominids undergo all their evolution, inevitably coming to live in relative harmony the Australopithecus, Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus, and Homo Sapiens.
During the lower paleolithic There was also the discovery of fire and, despite the fact that they lived in caves, the concept of community had already begun to develop, initially this community was made up of the same family. It is at this time when the departure from Africa occurs.
Within the Lower Palaeolithic we can highlight 2 types of techniques stone tool manufacturing. The Olduvayan or technical mode 1 and the Acheulean or technical mode 2. The first of them, Oduvayense, deals with tools carved into riverbanks, boulders, creating cutting edges and splinters. Percussion was used for this technique, that is, hitting one stone with another and the models that could be obtained could be carved on one or both sides.
Inside of the Acheulean Period, In this period they appear, in addition to edges carved on both sides, they are also carved in trihedron shapes, appearing flake utensils, which were used as cleavers, scrapers and denticulates.
To this first period belongs the H. habilis. It used tools created with stones, due to its characteristics it belonged to the Oduvayense way. Homo habilis had a more human appearance, since its jaw was less prominent and its teeth were smaller. His cranial capacity had expanded, with more brains he was able to establish somewhat more complex social relationships, in addition to having analytical skills, thanks to which he was able to adapt to a constantly changing ecosystem.
Prehistory – Stone Age | The Middle Paleolithic
We can say that the Middle Paleolithic is the initial stage of the Stone Age. The treatment received by the stone would correspond to technical mode 3, called Mousterianconsisted of obtaining several flakes, but this time treating the stone first, in order to get the number of flakes he wanted and in the shape he wanted.
The Middle Paleolithic picks up a fork between the years 150,000-127,000 before present (AP) and between 40,000-30,000 AP
The geological period corresponding to the Upper Pleistocene. In this period appears the Homo Neanderhalensis, who will be the one to explore and spread throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.
Regarding stone work, the industry Mousterian, The work system was based on notch directly on the flint. These notches were deepened until the lámias or flakes were removed, thus obtaining thick and sharp flakes.
Little by little, this technique was perfected until a greater specialization appeared in terms of the manufacture of tools, creating scrapers, scrapers, burins, large triangular-shaped points, serrated points, points with touch-ups on the edges, etc.
start to use elements with handle, thus the tools could be created thanks to the use of percussion hammers made of bone or wood. This new technique implied something that had been lacking in the lower period and that is planning.
Prehistory – Stone Age | The Upper Paleolithic
The Upper Paleolithic is the last of the periods in which the Paleolithic has been divided. In this period the technical method 4 arises, this method receives different names such as Magdalenian, Aurignacian, Gravettian or Châtelperronian, depending on where the find was made. Spans a range of years 40,000-30,000 AP and extends to the 12,000-10,000 AP.
Coinciding with the second half of the last glacial period, it is characterized by a very cold climate alternated with more temperate periods. It is in this period that the homo sapienslast survivor of the first hominids.
In this period concept art appearslamellar stone carving, a very specific bone industry and…