Prehistory is the time in history before any information was written down.
prehistory in British English
(priːˈhɪstərɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-ries
1.
the prehistoric period
2.
the study of this period, relying entirely on archaeological evidence
Derived forms
prehistorian (ˌpriːhɪˈstɔːrɪən)
noun
prehistory in American English
(priˈhɪstəri)
noun
1.
history before recorded history, as learned from archaeology, etc.
2.
the background of incidents, etc. leading to an event, crisis, etc.
Examples of 'prehistory' in a sentence
prehistory
In various guises they have been central to the human condition since prehistory.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In various guises they have been central to the human condition since prehistory.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The study of submerged prehistory is an expanding area of maritime archaeology.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The story of human prehistory is not special in this regard.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
His work reflects his interest in history and prehistory.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The study of history and prehistory does not always march hand in hand with a cutting-edge infrastructure project.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Like them, it seems certain that she would not have survived had she been born at any other point in human history or prehistory.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
Human prehistory is such a vast topic that it has proved necessary to divide it up into a series of shorter, more manageable periods.
Francis Pryor BRITAIN BC: Life In Britain and Ireland before the Romans (2003)
He earnestly wanted to apply these new scientific ideas to the study of human variation and human prehistory, and he set himself to learning more about them.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)