# prehistory

/pɹˈiːhɪstəɹˌi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prehistory
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

the time in the past before people started writing things down. We know about this time mostly from things they left behind, like tools and bones.

For teachers: the period of human history before the invention of writing systems. It is studied through archaeological evidence rather than written records.

## Examples

- Archaeologists study prehistory to learn about early humans.
- The discovery of cave paintings suggests that prehistory was much more complex than we previously thought.
- While written records provide a linear narrative of history, prehistory offers a fragmented but vital glimpse into the cognitive and social evolution of our earliest ancestors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.