The Prehistoric Periods refer to the time before written records existed, spanning millions of years. This era is divided into three main stages: the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. During the Stone Age, early humans created tools from stone and lived as hunter-gatherers, relying on nature for food and shelter. As societies evolved, they entered the Bronze Age, marked by the discovery of metalworking, which allowed for stronger tools and weapons. This period saw the rise of early civilizations, such as the Sumerians and Egyptians, who developed writing, agriculture, and complex social structures, paving the way for recorded history.