Korean prehistory refers to the period before written records in the Korean Peninsula, spanning from the Paleolithic era to the Three Kingdoms period. Early inhabitants used stone tools and lived as hunter-gatherers, gradually transitioning to agriculture during the Neolithic era. This shift led to the establishment of permanent settlements and the development of pottery, such as the Mumun pottery. The Bronze Age, marked by the introduction of metal tools and weapons, saw the rise of social hierarchies and trade networks. Notable archaeological sites, like Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, provide insights into the cultural and technological advancements of this era, laying the foundation for later historical developments.