A Review of the Prehistory Study in Western World:Concepts,Theories and Narratives
Emerged in the middle and late 19th century,prehistory is a relatively special branch of historical research.It is preceded by natural history and followed by written history.Prehistoric research has its own unique theories and methods.Before the 1960s,the study of prehistory was very speculative,trying to use a single theory(evolution or diffusion)to construct a unity and answer the big questions of the origin of mankind and the origin of civilization.After the 1960s,prehistoric studies paid more attention to factual research.Ecology,economics,radiocarbon,symbolism,molecular genetics and global perspectives have become important theories and methods for prehistoric historians to construct prehistoric narratives.
Culture Evolution and DiffusionOrigin of CivilizationWorld PrehistoryDNA Technology