Prehistoric Period and the Stone Age

Prehistoric Period

• It is the longest period but the least known period in history

• There is a lack of historical evidence about how people lived during this time

• Written records only began about 5,000 years ago

• Chronological events are mainly based on archaeological deductions

• First civilizations emerged independently along the river valleys of Mesopotamia (Tigris-Euphrates Valley), Egypt (Nile Valley), China (Huang Ho Valley) and India (Indus Valley)

• People developed science and technology to find food and ensure survival

• Early hominids and primitive humans used stone tools

Stone Age

• It is the time when stone was widely used for hunting implements
• It started around 6000 BC and ended around 2000 BC

Paleolithic Age

• Hunter-gatherer civilizations utilized primitive stone tools.
• H. erectus used and controlled fire, which was made to provide warmth and for cooking
• There is evidence of clothing, painting, sculptures, carvings, and engravings

Mesolithic Age

• A transitional period that led to the rise of shifting-farming civilizations
• Microliths, small stone tools made of flint, were used as spearheads and arrowheads
• Evidences of construction such as Stonehenge exists from this period

Neolithic Age

• The first agricultural revolution
• Developed complex numeric counting
• Metallurgy and metalworking developed, involving the extraction of mineral ores
• The invention of the wheel primarily introduced in making pottery

Metal Age

• Characterized by the use of copper and tin as the chief materials

Bronze Age

• Copper and tin were used in the production of weapons and utensils
• The wheel was an implement for transportation mechanics

Iron Age

• Characterized by the widespread use of iron and steel
• Iron and steel were used and modified for religious practices, agriculture, artistic tools, weapons, and armor