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Prehistory (Greek words προ = before and ιστορία = history) is a term often used to describe the period before written history became available. Paul Tournal originally coined the term Pré-historique in describing the finds he had made in the caves of southern France, and the term was used in French since the 1830s to describe the time before writing, then introduced into English by Daniel Wilson in 1851.
The term became less meaningful in the 20th century as the boundary between history (strictly the written record) and other disciplines became less rigid and defined. Indeed today most historians rely on evidence from multiple sources, and the notion of limiting historical study to a 5000-year span (out of possibly millions of years of human existence) of only those few world cultures that left written records is no longer taken seriously. For example historians study the Celts, African civilizations, and North American civilizations, whose histories were, until recently, mainly oral--"prehistoric".
Prehistory can be said to date back to the beginning of the universe itself, although the term is most often used to describe periods when there was life on Earth; dinosaurs can be described as prehistoric animals and cavemen are described as prehistoric people.
More on [ Prehistory ]
Geology :: The Earth
Archaeology :: Social Studies
Had these rites of renewal not yielded definite results they would not only have died out in prehistoric times
CGJungian (Carl Gustav Jung) Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:25:12 -0000
Had these rites of renewal not yielded definite results they would not only have died out in prehistoric times
History Channel's Monsterquest is searching for a prehistoric bear that is three times larger than the av-er-age bear!
P_ark (P_ark) Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:09:52 -0000
History Channel's Monsterquest is searching for a prehistoric bear that is three times larger than the av-er-age bear!
Ahhhhhh...!!!!!!!!!!! So many human species in prehistoric times. Jeeze!!!
Nacirema20 (Lesley cordero) Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:06:31 -0000
Ahhhhhh...!!!!!!!!!!! So many human species in prehistoric times. Jeeze!!!
Hallelujah! The internet is back! I didn't know what to do without it? What did we do back when we had dialup, in prehistoric times, I mean?
robincornett (Robin Cornett) Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:29:13 -0000
Hallelujah! The internet is back! I didn't know what to do without it? What did we do back when we had dialup, in prehistoric times, I mean?
@MatthewBerryTMR wouldn't it be cool if we could all go back to prehistoric times when we could wear bits of leather
JThongBeppe (Jason Hines) Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:49:29 -0000
@MatthewBerryTMR wouldn't it be cool if we could all go back to prehistoric times when we could wear bits of leather
jim west. in prehistoric times. the first man. to cross the sudan. a desperado. a crazy motherfucker. running from the pyramid chain gang.
i_farted (c c) Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:02:08 -0000
jim west. in prehistoric times. the first man. to cross the sudan. a desperado. a crazy motherfucker. running from the pyramid chain gang.
A Virtual Tour of Cave Paintings - Cave paintings let us learn about the lives of people long ago. People painted animals and even painted outlines of their hands. Take a look.
Archaeology and Human Prehistory: A Virtual Exhibition - Ancient technology and human prehistory in ancient civilizations of China, Egypt, Greece, India, Latin America, Mesopotamia, Vikings and North America.
Australia's Lost Kingdoms - Explains how the animals and climate of Australia have changed over time; with games and facts.
BBC: Prehistoric Life - Many articles about prehistory, such as human beginnings, the rise and fall of dinosaurs, and sea monster facts.
Meta Description: [ From dinosaurs to human ancestors - the BBC Prehistoric Life site has articles, games and information on BBC TV and radio programmes. ]
Becoming Human - Broadband documentary offers a journey through human evolution; also includes activities and lesson plans.
Meta Description: [ An extensive, information-rich online destination for paleoanthropology. The site includes an interactive documentary, educational exhibits, research tools, and the latest news from scientists across the globe. ]
CaveArt - Interactive site draws visitors into the world of cave artists. Includes information on the people themselves as well as their paintings, sculptures, and etchings.
Creation Stories - Ancient stories told to explain the natural wonders and disasters observed by early man.
Dinosaur Art and Modeling - Devoted to dinosaur modeling, with reviews and photos of several models including Tyrannosaurs Rex.
First Came the Mammoth, Then Came Architecture - Short history of prehistoric architecture, from mammoth-bone tents to Stone Age cities.
Meta Description: [ A Pictorial Prehistory of Stone Age Cities based on Howard Bloom's book Global Brain: The Evolution of Mass Mind From the Big Bang to the 21st Century ]
Flints and Stones - You've heard about the Stone Age. Now step into it. Visit this site to learn how the hunters gatherers really lived.
Mary Leakey: Unearthing History - Profile of Mary Leakey from the Scientific American.
Meta Description: [ Science and Technology at Scientific American.com: Mary Leakey: Unearthing History -- in depth reports on the most exciting areas of science ]
Mysteries of Çatalhöyük - An interactive tour of this archaeological dig in Turkey. Includes a timeline and photographs of the project, and details of the techniques used.
Neandertals: A Cyber Perspective. - Named after the valley in which he was discovered (Neander Tal), this hominid would send anthropologists mad for over 100 years. Neandertals were the ancestors that nobody wanted, or so scientists thought until they realized their mistake.
Origins of Western Culture - A virtual journey through human evolution. From the Smithsonian.
Prehistoric Man by History Link 101 - Offers links categorized in five areas: art, daily life, maps, pictures, and research on early man.
Meta Description: [ Links to Art, Daily Life, Maps, Pictures and Research on Prehistoric Man. ]
Prehistory in the Electronic Passport - Brief history of early man's culture and development.
Meta Description: [ History began and prehistory ended when humans learned to read and write. Learn more about prehistory in a lesson designed for middle school students. ]
Stone Age Hand-axes - Pictures and information.
Meta Description: [ Stone Age Hand-axes ]
Stone Age Reference Collection - Extensive collection of tools, materials, and online publications about stone age technology.
Technology Throughout History - Simple to read presentation of tools in the stone, bronze, and iron ages.
The Midwestern U.S. 16,000 Years Ago - Online exhibit by the Illinois State Museum depicting the environments, plants, and animals of the late Pleistocene.
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V.A.S.T.: African Prehistory - Traces African history through folktales and scientific contributions.
Meta Description: [ VAST builds pride in our collective African ancestry. This is an interactive, K-12, African prehistory education website. The site investigates many aspects of Humanity's African origins. This site creates a lively interactive learning environment of games, original music, and reference reso... ]
Walking With Prehistoric Beasts - A look at the animals who ruled the planet after the dinosaurs became extinct. Includes facts, a photo gallery, and interactive games,
Meta Description: [ Meet the bizarre-looking mammals that rose after dinosaurs died out millions of years ago. ]
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