Timeline of prehistory
summary of human prehistory
This timeline of prehistory covers the time from the appearance of Homo sapiens approximately 315,000 years ago in Africa to the invention of writing, over 5,000 years ago, with the earliest records going back to 3,200 BC. Prehistory covers the time from the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) to the beginning of ancient history.
All dates are approximate and subject to revision based on new discoveries or analyses.
Middle Paleolithic
320 kya – 305 kya: Populations at Olorgesailie in southern Kenya undergo technological improvements in toolmaking and engage in long-distance trade.
315 kya: Approximate date of appearance of Homo sapiens (Jebel Irhoud, Morocco).
270 kya: Age of Y-DNA haplogroup A00 ("Y-chromosomal Adam").
250 kya: First appearance of Homo neanderthalensis (Saccopastore skulls).
230 kya: Latest proposed date for the Terra Amata site, home of the first confirmed purpose-built structure and probably made by Homo heidelbergensis.
230 kya – 150 kya: Age of mt-DNA haplogroup L ("Mitochondrial Eve").
210 kya: Modern human presence in southeast Europe (Apidima, Greece).
200 kya: Oldest known grass bedding, including insect-repellent plants and ash layers beneath (possibly for a dirt-free, insulated base and to keep away arthropods).
The public source identifies “Timeline of prehistory” as summary of human prehistory. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Timeline, prehistory and summary.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “Timeline of prehistory”, the useful work is to connect “summary of human prehistory” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
Vocabulary and entity names are the principal evidence signals here, because they determine the precision of every later search. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 17, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q7806085. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference.
Overview language is designed for orientation and should not be treated as a substitute for the evidence cited beneath it. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Use the entry as an orientation point, then follow its citations and revision history. Names, dates and institutional relationships should be checked against the original record.
- Subject orientation
- Search vocabulary
- Locating named sources
The closest primary source, responsible institution and strongest cited specialist reference.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Timeline of prehistory”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Timeline of prehistory primary sources, Timeline of prehistory archive and Timeline research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Timeline of prehistory”?
- Which cited source is closest to the event, object or claim?
- Which institution is responsible for the underlying evidence?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Timeline of prehistory” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.