The time period that encompasses Prehistoric Egypt [see note 1] begins from the earliest human settlement (beginning circa 750,000 BCE) until the start of the Predynastic-Period (beginning circa 6,000 BCE).
Prehistory is the period that witnessed the development of humankind and its experiences since man lived in caves and rock-shelters. As a scavenger and hunter, the prehistoric man made his tools from stone to help him meet his needs and provide him with protection against danger. The oldest known man-made lithictools in Egypt are dated back more than two-million years ago. These tools confim the human presence in Egypt as it was the path taken by the human migrations from Africa during the ancient world.
Around 700,000 BCE, the land that is now Egypt was first inhabited, and it is widely believed that the early settlers of the Nile Valley migrated from other parts of Africa, most likely from the south, as it was a feasible route for them. Although many people today think of Egypt as a desert, it was not always the case. In fact, at the time of its initial settlement, around 700,000 BC, it was a fertile country resembling the Serengeti Plain, home to various animals like giraffes and gazelles. The Nile River provided a reliable water source and acted as a natural pathway through the region.
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