Prehistory: Definition and Timeline

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Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex on Display in Washington D.C. 370587 01: The Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton known as Sue stands on display at Union Station June 7, 2000 in Washington D.C. Sue, the 67 million-year-old dinosaur, is scheduled to be put on display in many cities around the world. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Newsmakers)

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Why Did the Dinosaurs Die Out?

The Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event, or the K-T event, is the name given to the die-off of the dinosaurs that took place some 65.5 million years ago. The discovery of iridium-enriched clay at the K-T boundary bolstered the theory that an asteroid or meteor impact event may have caused the mass extinction.

Stone Age

The Stone Age marks a period of prehistory in which humans used primitive stone tools. Lasting roughly 2.5 million years, the Stone Age ended around 5,000 years ago when humans began working with metal and making tools and weapons from bronze.

Bronze Age

The Bronze Age marked the first time humans started to work with metal. Bronze tools and weapons soon replaced earlier stone versions. Ancient Sumerians in the Middle East may have been the first people to enter the Bronze Age.

Neanderthals

Neanderthals, an extinct species of hominids, were the closest relatives to modern human beings.

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5 Iron Age Tools and Innovations

New techniques helped make iron stronger—but there were also innovations in the use of gold, silver and stone.

This ice age-era painting in the Chauvet Cave in southern France dates to around 32,000-30,000 B.C.

What Prehistoric Cave Paintings Reveal About Early Human Life

Some of the oldest known art may hint at the beginning of language development, while later examples portray narratives with human and animal figures.

How Early Humans Survived the Ice Age

Our human ancestors’ big, creative brains helped them devise tools and strategies to survive harsh climates.

The excavation of Homo naledi in South Africa, 2015.

When Did Human Ancestors Start Burying Their Dead?

Research claiming that human ancestors living between 240,000 and 500,000 years ago may have intentionally buried their dead, raises the question of when this behavior began.

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Origins of Man

Genetic analysis helps to decipher the mysteries of human evolution.

3:51 minTV-PG

Origins of the Clovis People

Clovis points found on the east coast of the U.S. challenge the traditional theory that the Clovis people migrated to North-America via the Bering land bridge.

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Unearthing Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs can reveal fascinating details of how life was 65 million years ago. But unearthing them can prove to be challenging.

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Salt

Salt–necessary for human life–was once a highly prized commodity that could not be easily accessed in many parts of the world.

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