The document provides an overview of the study of history and prehistory. It discusses how historians use observations, readings, and studies of physical remains, written documents, and oral histories to understand past societies. Prehistory is divided into the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, and Metal Ages. The Palaeolithic began over 4 million years ago and saw the development of tools made of carved stone and bone. The Neolithic started around 10,000 BC and featured polished stone tools as well as early pottery, baskets, and textiles. The Metal Age between 4,000-3,000 BC comprised the Copper, Bronze, and Iron Ages defined by advances in metalworking.

4.  …the study of human beings’ past

7.  By OBSERVING
 By READING
 By STUDYING

8.  The remains from the past:

9.  Physical (fossils, buried skeletons, walls,
buildings…):

10.  Written:

11.  Oral:

13.  Study physical
remains

14. (Well… in fact archaeology is not
always that exciting…!!! )
Yes! Just like him!

15.  Use different sources (physical + written +
oral)…… and they compare them in
order to understand facts better.
 They study the politics, the economy, the
society, the mentality, the art, the ways
of living, the culture…

16.  In chronology, we can distinguish different
periods of time:
› DECADE = 10 years
› CENTURY = 100 years:
 Ej: 20th Century: years 1901 - 2000
 Ej: 21st Century  years 2001 - 2100
› MILLENIUM = 1000 years
is the science we use to
establish the order of occurrence in time of
historical events. It uses
to represent periods of
history.

17.  In Western countries, we use the birth of
Christ to divide chronology into 2 parts
› BEFORE CHRIST (BC): dates before year 1
 in Spanish A.C. (Antes de Cristo)
› AFTER CHRIST (AD - Anno Domini = the year of the Lord):
dates from year 1 onwards
 in Spanish: D.C. (Después de Cristo)
 THE YEAR 0 (zero) DOESN’T EXIST!!!!  the
year 1 BC is followed directly by year 1 AD.
BC
(in Spanish: A.C.)
AD
(in Spanish: D.C.)
Year 1 AD

18. IN WHAT YEAR ARE WE
LIVING RIGHT NOW…?
…2013 BC OR 2013 AD?????

19.  Write down the centuries for these
years:
›370 BC
›84 BC
›2100 BC
›683 BC
›739
›215 BC
›181
›100
 Write down any year for these
centuries:
› s.XIX BC
› s.XX
› s.I
› s.XII
› s.VII BC
› s.XIV BC
 Which of these years is nearer to
our time: 1132 BC or 1194 BC?
 What century was 2.357 years
ago?
 How many years are there from
958 BC to 1311 AD?
 Write down the first and the last
year for these dates:
› 9th century
› 18th century
› 20th century
› 21st century
› 2nd century BC
› The second millennium AD

20.  There are 2 main phases in history:
› PREHISTORY:
Starts: Finishes:
4,2 million years ago 3.000 BC
with the appearance with the invention
of the first hominins of writing
› HISTORY:
Starts: Finishes:
3.000 BC
with the invention
of writing

21.  Prehistory and History are also subdivided into different
ages/periods:
› PREHISTORY: it’s the longest period!!!!!!! (more than 4 million years)
 Palaeolithic Age  from the appearance of the first hominins (4,2 million
years ago) to 10.000 BC. Tools made of carved stone.
 Neolithic Age  from 10.000 BC to 4.000 BC. Tools made of polished
stone.
 Metal Age  from 4.000 BC to the invention of writing (3.000 BC). Tools
made of metal.
› HISTORY:
 Ancient period  from the invention of writing (3.000 BC) to the fall of the
Western Roman Empire in (476).
 Middle Ages  from 476 to the fall of Constantinople (1453) or the
discovery of America (1492).
 Modern period  from the fall of Constantinople (1453) or the discovery
of America (1492), to the French Revolution (1789).
 Contemporary period  from the French Revolution (1789) to the present
day.
Stone
Age

22.  The Earth was formed
approximately 4,500 million
years ago.
 Life on Earth started
approximately 3,500 million
years ago.
 Humans’ ancestors are the
primates. The first primates date
from 55 million years ago.

23.  4,2 million years ago,
due to climate
changes, the primates’
evolution began to
separate into different
branches, and the first
HOMININS appeared.
 HOMINISATION: process
through which hominins start to
develop some features that
distinguished them from apes.

25.  Bipedalism (walk on two feet).

26.  Straight spinal chord: hands are no
longer used for walking, so they were
free to make tools, carry, throw...

27.  Cranial changes: smaller jawbone and teeth, a chin and a vertical
forehead. INCREASE OF BRAIN SIZES!!! (enables them to think in a
different way, ex: how to do tools.)

28. Humans have the brain bigger than any other animal,
especially the cortex, the seat of reasoning

29.  Hand changes: development of the opposable thumbs (enables them
to hold things)

30. AUSTRALOPI-
THECUS
HOMO
HABILIS
HOMO
ERECTUS
HOMO
NEANDERTHA-
LENSIS
HOMO SAPIENS
(present day man)
CHRONOLOGY
4,2 million
years ago
2,4 million years
ago
1,8 million
years ago
200,000 – 35,000
years ago
195,000 years ago
LOCATION Africa Africa
Africa.
In Asia and
Europe 
Homo
Antecessor
Europe (they
disappeared at the
end of the glacial
period).
Originated in
Africa, but then
spread throughout
all the continents.
HEIGHT 1 m 1,55 m 1,70 m 1,60 m 1,80 m
CHARACTERISTICS
 Biped
 Erect walk.
 Used tools,
but did not
them.
 1st member
of the homo
specie.
 1st hominin
to make
tools.
 Made fire.
 Made tools.
 Made fire.
 Made tools.
 Buried the dead.
 Made tools out
of stone and
bone.
 Earliest forms
of art.

31. Not an ape, not human.
They used tools but didn’t made them.

32. First member of the homo specie. First hominin to make
tools.

33. He first uses the fire

34. They had languages as ours,
so they could communicate
and organize.
They buried the dead.

35. Mind and aspect like modern men.
Earliest forms of art.

36. African
origin
Spread
across
Asia and
Europe
Finally,
they reach
Australia
and
America

37.  What would you eat?
 Would you stay in one place or move around?
 Where would you live?
 How many people would you live with?
 Would you hunt by yourself or with others?
 What tools would you need? What materials
would they be made of?
In groups of 4-6 students. You have 10 minutes to answer!!

38. Let’s start studying
the 1st period of
prehistory...
what’s ITS name?
And its chronology?

39. PALAEOLITHIC
(4,2M.Y.–10,000BC)
NEOLITHIC
(10,000–4,000BC)
METALAGE
(4,000–3,000BC)
PALAEOLITHIC
(old stone age)

40. PALAEOLITHIC
(old stone age)
Diveded into 3 sub-periods:
•Lower Palaeolithic (4,2 m.y. – 200,000 BC)
•Middle Palaeolithic (200,000 – 35,000 BC)
•Upper Palaeolithic (35,000 – 10,000 BC)

41. Diveded into 3 sub-periods:
•Lower Palaeolithic (4,2 m.y. – 200,000 BC)
•Middle Palaeolithic (200,000 – 35,000 BC)
•Upper Palaeolithic (35,000 – 10,000 BC)
PALAEOLITHIC
(old stone age)

42. Diveded into 3 sub-periods:
•Lower Palaeolithic (4,2 m.y. – 200,000 BC)
•Middle Palaeolithic (200,000 – 35,000 BC)
•Upper Palaeolithic (35,000 – 10,000 BC)
They had a
NOMADIC lifestyle
PALAEOLITHIC
(old stone age)

43. Diveded into 3 sub-periods:
•Lower Palaeolithic (4,2 m.y. – 200,000 BC)
•Middle Palaeolithic (200,000 – 35,000 BC)
•Upper Palaeolithic (35,000 – 10,000 BC)
They had a
NOMADIC lifestyle
PALAEOLITHIC
(old stone age)

44. Diveded into 3 sub-periods:
•Lower Palaeolithic (4,2 m.y. – 200,000 BC)
•Middle Palaeolithic (200,000 – 35,000 BC)
•Upper Palaeolithic (35,000 – 10,000 BC)
They had a
NOMADIC lifestyle
PALAEOLITHIC
(old stone age)

45. Diveded into 3 sub-periods:
•Lower Palaeolithic (4,2 m.y. – 200,000 BC)
•Middle Palaeolithic (200,000 – 35,000 BC)
•Upper Palaeolithic (35,000 – 10,000 BC)
They had a
NOMADIC lifestyle
Their tools were
made of CARVED
STONE AND BONE.
PALAEOLITHIC
(old stone age)

46. Diveded into 3 sub-periods:
•Lower Palaeolithic (4,2 m.y. – 200,000 BC)
•Middle Palaeolithic (200,000 – 35,000 BC)
•Upper Palaeolithic (35,000 – 10,000 BC)
They had a
NOMADIC lifestyle
Their tools were
made of CARVED
STONE AND BONE.
PALAEOLITHIC
(old stone age)

47. CAVE PAINTINGS TO
PROMOTE
SUCCESSFUL HUNTING.
ONE OF THE BEST
EXAMPLES OF CAVE
PAINTINGS CAN BE
FOUND IN SPAIN:
ALTAMIRA CAVE
(CANTABRIA)
VENUS OF WILLENDORF  the
Venus figurines exaggerated certain
parts of women’s anatomy (abdomen,
hips, breasts…). They’re thought to be
symbols of fertility or
richness/abundance.

48. Diveded into 3 sub-periods:
•Lower Palaeolithic (4,2 m.y. – 200,000 BC)
•Middle Palaeolithic (200,000 – 35,000 BC)
•Upper Palaeolithic (35,000 – 10,000 BC)
They had a
NOMADIC lifestyle
Their tools were
made of CARVED
STONE AND BONE.
PALAEOLITHIC
(old stone age)

49. They are worried about the
afterlife; they bury the corpse
carefully.
They also made rituals for
promoting hunting, fertility…

50. NOW, Let’s start
studying the
2nd period of
prehistory...
what’s ITS name?
And its chronology?

51. NEOLITHIC (new
stone age)
PALAEOLITHIC
(4,2M.Y.–10,000BC)
NEOLITHIC
(10,000–4,000BC)
METALAGE
(4,000–3,000BC)

52. The Neolithic culture has its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in the area known as
the “FERTILE CRESCENT”. It also
appeared independently, but later, in
areas nearby the big rivers of
India (Indo & Ganges) and
China (Yellow & Blue)
NEOLITHIC (new
stone age)

53. The Neolithic culture has its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in the area known as
the “FERTILE CRESCENT”. It also
appeared independently, but later, in
areas nearby the big rivers of
India (Indo & Ganges) and
China (Yellow & Blue)
NEOLITHIC (new
stone age)

54. The Neolithic culture has its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in the area known as
the “FERTILE CRESCENT”. It also
appeared independently, but later, in
areas nearby the big rivers of
India (Indo & Ganges) and
China (Yellow & Blue)
NEOLITHIC (new
stone age)

55. The Neolithic culture has its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in the area known as
the “FERTILE CRESCENT”. It also
appeared independently, but later, in
areas nearby the big rivers of
India (Indo & Ganges) and
China (Yellow & Blue)
NEOLITHIC (new
stone age)

56. The Neolithic culture has its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in the area known as
the “FERTILE CRESCENT”. It also
appeared independently, but later, in
areas nearby the big rivers of
India (Indo & Ganges) and
China (Yellow & Blue)
NEOLITHIC (new
stone age)
HOE
MORTAR

57. The Neolithic culture has its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in the area known as
the “FERTILE CRESCENT”. It also
appeared independently, but later, in
areas nearby the big rivers of
India (Indo & Ganges) and
China (Yellow & Blue)
Other CRAFTS
WERE
DEVELOPED:
pottery,
baskets,
textiles…
NEOLITHIC (new
stone age)
NEOLITHIC
LOOM
NEOLITHIC BASKET
NEOLITHIC
POTTERY

58. The Neolithic culture has its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in the area known as
the “FERTILE CRESCENT”. It also
appeared independently, but later, in
areas nearby the big rivers of
India (Indo & Ganges) and
China (Yellow & Blue)
Other CRAFTS
WERE
DEVELOPED:
pottery,
baskets,
textiles…
NEOLITHIC (new
stone age)

59. The Neolithic culture has its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in the area known as
the “FERTILE CRESCENT”. It also
appeared independently, but later, in
areas nearby the big rivers of
India (Indo & Ganges) and
China (Yellow & Blue)
Other CRAFTS
WERE
DEVELOPED:
pottery,
baskets,
textiles…
NEOLITHIC (new
stone age)

60. The Neolithic culture has its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in the area known as
the “FERTILE CRESCENT”. It also
appeared independently, but later, in
areas nearby the big rivers of
India (Indo & Ganges) and
China (Yellow & Blue)
Other CRAFTS
WERE
DEVELOPED:
pottery,
baskets,
textiles…
NEOLITHIC (new
stone age)

61. NOW, Let’s start
studying the
3rd period of
prehistory...
what’s ITS name?
And its chronology?

62. 3nd and last period in prehistory
(4,000 BC – 3,000 BC)
Subdivided into 3 stages, which didn’t took
place at the same moment everywhere:
 COPPER AGE
 BRONZE AGE
 IRON AGE
METAL
AGE
PALAEOLITHIC
(4,2M.Y.–10,000BC)
NEOLITHIC
(10,000–4,000BC)
METALAGE
(4,000–3,000BC)

63. 3nd and last period in prehistory
(4,000 BC – 3,000 BC)
Subdivided into 3 stages, which didn’t took
place at the same moment everywhere:
 COPPER AGE
 BRONZE AGE
 IRON AGE
Metalworking also
had its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in
the area known as
the “FERTILE
CRESCENT”.
METAL
AGE

64. 3nd and last period in prehistory
(4,000 BC – 3,000 BC)
Subdivided into 3 stages, which didn’t took
place at the same moment everywhere:
 COPPER AGE
 BRONZE AGE
 IRON AGE
Metalworking also
had its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in
the area known as
the “FERTILE
CRESCENT”.
METAL
AGE
METAL
SICKLE
BRONZE COMB
METAL SWARDS
METAL
SPEARS
METAL
JARS

65. 3nd and last period in prehistory
(4,000 BC – 3,000 BC)
Subdivided into 3 stages, which didn’t took
place at the same moment everywhere:
 COPPER AGE
 BRONZE AGE
 IRON AGE
Metalworking also
had its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in
the area known as
the “FERTILE
CRESCENT”.
METAL
AGE
PLOUGH
WHEEL
SAIL
POTTER’S WHEEL

66. 3nd and last period in prehistory
(4,000 BC – 3,000 BC)
Subdivided into 3 stages, which didn’t took
place at the same moment everywhere:
 COPPER AGE
 BRONZE AGE
 IRON AGE
Metalworking also
had its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in
the area known as
the “FERTILE
CRESCENT”.
METAL
AGE

67. 3nd and last period in prehistory
(4,000 BC – 3,000 BC)
Subdivided into 3 stages, which didn’t took
place at the same moment everywhere:
 COPPER AGE
 BRONZE AGE
 IRON AGE
Metalworking also
had its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in
the area known as
the “FERTILE
CRESCENT”.
METAL
AGE

69. 3nd and last period in prehistory
(4,000 BC – 3,000 BC)
Subdivided into 3 stages, which didn’t took
place at the same moment everywhere:
 COPPER AGE
 BRONZE AGE
 IRON AGE
Metalworking also
had its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in
the area known as
the “FERTILE
CRESCENT”.
TRADE
DEVELOPS 
but they didn’t
use money.
They
practiced
bartering.
METAL
AGE

70. 3nd and last period in prehistory
(4,000 BC – 3,000 BC)
Subdivided into 3 stages, which didn’t took
place at the same moment everywhere:
 COPPER AGE
 BRONZE AGE
 IRON AGE
Metalworking also
had its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in
the area known as
the “FERTILE
CRESCENT”.
TRADE
DEVELOPS 
but they didn’t
use money.
They
practiced
bartering.
SOCIAL INEQUALITIES
INCREASED  societies
that had metals
dominated over those
that didn’t (wars start).
METAL
AGE

71. 3nd and last period in prehistory
(4,000 BC – 3,000 BC)
Subdivided into 3 stages, which didn’t took
place at the same moment everywhere:
 COPPER AGE
 BRONZE AGE
 IRON AGE
Metalworking also
had its ORIGIN IN
THE MIDDLE EAST, in
the area known as
the “FERTILE
CRESCENT”.
TRADE
DEVELOPS 
but they didn’t
use money.
They
practiced
bartering.
SOCIAL INEQUALITIES
INCREASED  societies
that had metals
dominated over those
that didn’t (wars start).
ART  MEGALITHS:
monuments made of big
Stones, built for religious
purposes (funerals, solar cult…):
 MENHIR: big stone standing
vertically on the floor.
 CROMLECH: group of stones
ordered in a circle
(ex: Stonehenge, UK)
 DOLMEN: large standing stones
supporting a larger
horizontal stone.
METAL
AGE

72. MENHIR
DOLMENS
CROMLECH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=-6oxmxPKoSE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=5yz0xNkMmAI