Prehistoric people are human beings who lived before writing was invented about 5,500 years ago. Writing enabled people to record information they wished to save, including descriptions of events in their lives. In this way, the invention of writing marked the beginning of history. The period before human beings learned to write is called prehistory, and people who lived during this period are known as prehistoric people.
Most scientists believe the first human beings lived about 2 million years ago. But early people probably arose from prehuman ancestors who first lived more than 4 million years ago. These ancestors were small, humanlike creatures who walked in an erect, upright position.
Scientists first discovered evidence of prehistoric people during the mid-1800's. Most of this evidence consisted of ancient, sharp-edged tools that prehistoric people had made of stone. The first fossilized bones of prehistoric people were also found during this time.
As scientists collected more fossils of prehistoric people, they began to form a clearer picture of what these early people looked like. For example, scientists learned from fossil evidence that early human beings had smaller brains than most modern people have. This evidence indicated to many scientists that humans had evolved
