100,000–3,200 BCE
Prehistory is the time in history before events
were written down and recorded. Most of what
we now know about this period has been
learned through archaeological discoveries and
research.

This includes part of the Stone Age, Ice Age, and
distant ancient times even before then.

100,000–70,000 BCE • SOUTH AFRICA
In this beachside cave in South Africa, there are
many Stone Age artifacts, including rocks
engraved with geometric designs and bone tools.
 

There are also many sea-snail shells. These 
seashells have been worn as beads: some are
painted with ochre and are drilled with holes for
easy stringing perhaps on cord or sinew.

22,500 BCE • PORTUGAL
Deer teeth, which once adorned a headdress, 
and two periwinkle seashells from the Atlantic
Ocean, which were part of a pendant, are found 
in a child’s grave.
 

These ornaments belong to the oldest complete 
skeleton ever discovered in Europe’s Iberian 
Peninsula.

4,500 BCE • BULGARIA
This Bulgarian burial ground has unearthed the
world’s oldest gold jewelry—thousands of years
older than Ancient Egypt! Also found here are
copper pieces, shells, agate beads, and faceted
chalcedony gemstones.
 

Three thousand gold artifacts, weighing over 13
pounds, are uncovered in empty graves.