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History vs. Prehistory — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 15, 2024
History refers to period of human civilization for which written records exist, allowing for the study and documentation of human activities, while prehistory denotes era before written records, studied through archaeology and other scientific methods.
History vs. Prehistory — What's the Difference?

Difference Between History and Prehistory

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Key Differences

History begins with the advent of writing systems, marking the point at which humans could record events, laws, and daily life, providing a narrative of human civilization that can be studied and interpreted. In contrast, prehistory covers the vast span of time before the invention of writing, relying on physical evidence such as tools, fossils, and art to infer the behaviors, cultures, and developments of early human societies.
While historians use written documents to reconstruct past events, cultures, and societies during the historical period, archaeologists and anthropologists study artifacts, human remains, and environmental data to understand prehistoric societies. This distinction highlights the methodological differences in studying these periods: textual analysis and interpretation for history versus physical and scientific analysis for prehistory.
The transition from prehistory to history signifies a profound change in human society, with the development of writing systems being a key milestone that enabled the recording of laws, transactions, stories, and historical events. This ability to document and transmit knowledge across generations marked a significant leap in human intellectual and cultural development.
Prehistory is characterized by the evolution of humans from simple tool-using societies to complex societies with advancements in agriculture, technology, and social organization, laying the groundwork for the rise of civilizations. The historical period, however, is defined by the growth of these civilizations, their interactions, and their impacts on the world, guided by the written records they left behind.
The main difference between history and prehistory lies in the presence or absence of written records, which dictates how we study and understand past human societies. History offers a narrative constructed from documents, while prehistory requires piecing together clues from physical evidence to form a picture of early human life.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

The period for which written records exist.
The era before the invention of writing.

Study Method

Based on written documents, records, and texts.
Relies on archaeology, artifacts, and environmental evidence.

Key Milestone

Invention of writing systems.
Development of tools, agriculture, and social organization.

Periods

Varies by region; generally from 4th millennium BC onwards.
From human origins until the advent of writing systems.

Focus

Documented events, laws, and societal developments.
Human evolution, material culture, and societal structures.

Compare with Definitions

History

The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, through written records.
The history of ancient Egypt is well-documented through hieroglyphics.

Prehistory

The period of human history before the invention of writing systems.
Stonehenge is one of the most famous monuments from prehistory.

History

The past considered as a whole, as it is recorded and remembered.
History shows us that great civilizations can rise and fall.

Prehistory

Relates to the developments of early human societies, technologies, and cultures.
The transition from nomadic life to agriculture marks a significant period in prehistory.

History

The aggregate of past events as they relate to a particular subject or place.
The museum exhibits trace the history of aviation from its beginnings to the present day.

Prehistory

A term used to describe the vast span of time before historical records.
Much of what we know about prehistory comes from the study of cave paintings and other archaeological sites.

History

A chronological record of significant events often including an explanation of their causes.
Her book offers a detailed history of the civil rights movement.

Prehistory

The study of human past through archaeological findings rather than written documentation.
Prehistory reveals much about the earliest human societies through their tools and artifacts.

History

A field of study that records and analyzes past events.
He has a degree in history, focusing on medieval Europe.

Prehistory

The era characterized by the evolution and spread of human ancestors.
Prehistory includes the time when early humans first began to use stone tools.

History

History (from Greek ἱστορία, historia, meaning "inquiry; knowledge acquired by investigation") is the study of the past. Events before the invention of writing systems are considered prehistory.

Prehistory

Prehistory, also known as pre-literary history, is the period of human history between the use of the first stone tools by hominins c. 3.3 million years ago and the invention of writing systems.

History

A chronological record of events, as of the life or development of a people or institution, often including an explanation of or commentary on those events
A history of the Vikings.

Prehistory

History of humankind in the period before recorded history.

History

A formal written account of related natural phenomena
A history of volcanoes.

Prehistory

The circumstances or developments leading up to or surrounding an event or situation; background
"[He] then told me the curious prehistory of his obsessive interest in the seduction theory" (Janet Malcolm).

History

A record of a patient's general medical background
Took the patient's history.

Prehistory

The time before written records in any area of the world; the events and conditions of those times.

History

An established condition or pattern of behavior
An inmate with a history of mental illness and drug abuse.

Prehistory

The study of those times.

History

The branch of knowledge that records and analyzes past events
"History has a long-range perspective" (Elizabeth Gurley Flynn).

Prehistory

Any past time (even recent) treated as such a distant, unknowable era.

History

The past events relating to a particular thing
The history of their rivalry is full of intrigue.

Prehistory

The history leading up to some event, condition, etc.

History

The aggregate of past events or human affairs
Basic tools used throughout history.

Prehistory

The time during the development of human culture before the appearance of the written word

History

An interesting past
A house with history.

History

Something that belongs to the past
Their troubles are history now.

History

(Slang) One that is no longer worth consideration
Why should we worry about him? He's history!.

History

A drama based on historical events
The histories of Shakespeare.

History

The aggregate of past events.
History repeats itself if we don’t learn from its mistakes.

History

The branch of knowledge that studies the past; the assessment of notable events.
He teaches history at the university.
History will not look kindly on these tyrants.
He dreams of an invention that will make history.

History

The portion of the past that is known and recorded by this field of study, as opposed to all earlier and unknown times that preceded it (prehistory).
In all of human history and prehistory
In all recorded history

History

(countable) A set of events involving an entity.
What is your medical history?
The family's history includes events best forgotten.
A long and sordid history

History

(countable) A record or narrative description of past events.
I really enjoyed Shakespeare's tragedies more than his histories.
A short history of post-Columbian colonization

History

A list of past and continuing medical conditions of an individual or family.
A personal medical history is required for the insurance policy.
He has a history of cancer in his family.
This diagnosis is usually based solely on the history and physical examination, although laboratory tests are occasionally also obtained.

History

A record of previous user events, especially of visited web pages in a browser.
I visited a great site yesterday but forgot the URL. Luckily, I didn't clear my history.

History

(informal) Something that no longer exists or is no longer relevant.
I told him that if he doesn't get his act together, he's history.

History

(uncountable) Shared experience or interaction.
There is too much history between them for them to split up now.
He has had a lot of history with the police.

History

(obsolete) To narrate or record.

History

A learning or knowing by inquiry; the knowledge of facts and events, so obtained; hence, a formal statement of such information; a narrative; a description; a written record; as, the history of a patient's case; the history of a legislative bill.

History

A systematic, written account of events, particularly of those affecting a nation, institution, science, or art, and usually connected with a philosophical explanation of their causes; a true story, as distinguished from a romance; - distinguished also from annals, which relate simply the facts and events of each year, in strict chronological order; from biography, which is the record of an individual's life; and from memoir, which is history composed from personal experience, observation, and memory.
Histories are as perfect as the historian is wise, and is gifted with an eye and a soul.
For aught that I could ever read,Could ever hear by tale or history.
What histories of toil could I declare!
Justly Cæsar scorns the poet's lays;It is to history he trusts for praise.
No more yet of this;For 't is a chronicle of day by day,Not a relation for a breakfast.
Many glorious examples in the annals of our religion.

History

To narrate or record.

History

The aggregate of past events;
A critical time in the school's history

History

The continuum of events occurring in succession leading from the past to the present and even into the future;
All of human history

History

The discipline that records and interprets past events involving human beings;
He teaches Medieval history
History takes the long view

History

All that is remembered of the past as preserved in writing; a body of knowledge;
The dawn of recorded history
From the beginning of history

Common Curiosities

What are the major periods within prehistory?

Major periods include the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), Neolithic (New Stone Age), Bronze Age, and part of the Iron Age.

When does history begin?

History begins with the invention of writing, which varies by region, typically around the 4th millennium BC for many civilizations.

Can the boundary between prehistory and history vary?

Yes, the boundary varies across different regions based on when writing was first adopted.

What role do artifacts play in understanding prehistory?

Artifacts are crucial for understanding the daily lives, cultures, and technological advancements of prehistoric societies.

How do we learn about prehistory if there are no written records?

Through the study of physical evidence like artifacts, fossils, and environmental data, archaeologists reconstruct prehistoric life.

How does prehistory influence our understanding of history?

Prehistory provides context for the development of human societies, helping to understand the foundations upon which historical civilizations were built.

Are there any cultures that remained in a "prehistoric" state after others had entered historical times?

Yes, some cultures remained prehistoric well into periods when neighboring cultures had developed writing and entered historical times.

Why is the invention of writing considered the start of history?

Writing allowed for the recording of events, laws, and knowledge, providing direct evidence of human activities and thoughts.

How are new technologies affecting the study of prehistory?

Advances in technology, such as radiocarbon dating and DNA analysis, are enhancing our ability to date artifacts and understand the movements and interactions of early human populations.

What kind of written records do historians study?

Historians study a variety of written records, including letters, diaries, legal documents, and literary works.

Can the study of prehistory change our understanding of history?

Yes, discoveries in prehistory can provide new insights into the origins and developments of human societies, influencing our interpretation of historical narratives.

How do the methods of studying history and prehistory differ?

Studying history relies on textual analysis of written records, while prehistory uses archaeological and scientific methods to analyze physical evidence.

What significance does the transition from prehistory to history hold?

This transition marks a significant advancement in human intellectual and cultural development, enabling the documentation and transmission of human knowledge.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Maham Liaqat
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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