Prehistory spans from the origin of humans until the development of writing around 3500 BC. It is divided into three main periods: Palaeolithic, Neolithic, and the Age of Metals. The Palaeolithic period saw several human species evolve over millions of years, including Australopithecus which walked upright 4.5 million years ago, Homo habilis who made basic tools 2.3 million years ago, and Homo erectus who was the first to spread out of Africa 1.9 million years ago and use complex tools and control fire. Neanderthals appeared 300,000 years ago in Europe during the Ice Age and made complex flint tools, while modern humans emerged in East Africa around 200

1. PREHISTORY
Palaeolithic/Paleolithic

2. • Prehistory is the longest period in the
evolution of mankind. It covers from
the origin of the human species until
writing appeared (3.500 BC).
• As there are no written records the
main source of information is
archaeology.
• Humans are the result of gradual
evolution from the first hominids
(human-like species) to the human
species. This process lasted millions of
years.

3. PREHISTORY
PERIODS:
• Prehistory is usually divided into three periods: Palaeolithic or Stone
Age, Neolithic and the Age of Metals.

5. HUMAN
EVOLUTION
• BIPEDALISM: walk on two
legs and freeing the hands to
use tools.
• OPPOSABLE THUMB:
enabled humans to hold
objects and make tools.
• INCREASE in the size of skull,
brain and forehead.
• LANGUAGE: changes in the
size of the jaw, teeth and
larynx.

7. AUSTRALOPITHECUS.
• BIPEDALISM: walk on two legs.
• LOCATION: East and South Africa.
• APPEARED in the Rift Valley 4.5 million years
ago.
• TOOLS: sticks and stones but did not make
tools.

8. HOMO HABILIS.
• APPEARED in East Africa 2.3 million
years ago but did not leave the
continent.
• FIRST to make basic tools.

9. CHOPPER with a single
straight or curved cutting edge
and CHOPPING TOOL with a
bifacial cutting edge.

10. HOMO ERECTUS.
• APPEARED 1.9 million years ago in East Africa and was the first
human ancestor to spread to Europe and Asia.
• TOOLS: complex tools called bifaces.
• Discovery of FIRE and HUNTING in groups.

12. ATAPUERCA.

13. HOMO ANTECESSOR
• APPEARED 800.000 years ago at
Atapuerta (Burgos).
• TOOLS for specific activities.

14. HOMO NEANDERTHALENSIS.

16. HOMO
NEANDERTHALEN
SIS.
• APPEARED 300,000 years
ago only in Europe.
• They LIVED during the Ice
Age.
• Complex TOOLS made of
flint (silex).
• First BURIALS.

17. HOMO SAPIENS.

18. HOMO
SAPIENS
• APPEARED in East Africa 200,000
years ago and expanded into
Asia, Europe, Oceania and
America.
• Sophisticated TOOLS made of
stone, bone and antler.
• First works of ART.

20. PALAEOLITHIC ART