What did historians call the earliest period of human history the what?

Historians refer to the earliest period of human history as the "Prehistoric Era." This era encompasses the time before written records were kept, including the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. It is characterized by the development of early human cultures, tools, and social structures, as well as the transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. The study of this period relies heavily on archaeological findings and artifacts.