Prehistory

What the resources cover

The page follows prehistory from the first humans to the Metal Age. The mind map Early Humans looks at Homo Habilis and Homo Erectus. Life of Early Man splits the Stone Age into the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic. THE METAL AGE covers Copper, Bronze and Iron, including the Chalcolithic as a transition from the Neolithic.

There are also regional maps. The Mesolithic Period describes early arrivals in Ireland by dugout canoe, while The Celts in Britain looks at the Iron Age and ironworking. Maps on Stonehenge and the Agricultural Revolution add further detail.

Where to start

Begin with the mind map PREHISTORY. It explains that prehistory began with the first humans and ended when writing was invented. Next, open Life of Early Man for the three stone ages. Then move on to THE METAL AGE.

1. Read an overview map first.
2. Choose one period and open its map.
3. Try a quiz on that period.
4. Use flashcards for vocabulary.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map, then close it and take a quiz such as Neolithic and Paleolithic Ages or Early Settlers in Ireland. Note the questions you missed and go back to the matching branch of the map. The quiz Key Concept 1.2 The Neolithic Revolution and Early Agricultural Societies suits learners on AP World History, and the flashcard decks on prehistory vocabulary help with key terms. Teachers can pick notes, slide sets and quizzes to set as classwork. GCSE History and Junior Certificate students will also find relevant material.

Where it fits

This unit sits in the strand Foundations and the Ancient World, within History. It gives the starting point before written records begin.

Choose a map, take a quiz and see which topics need another look.