Refers to the academic discipline that studies human history before written records, often synonymous with 先史時代研究.
He is majoring in prehistory at university.
In prehistory lectures, we explore human origins based on archaeological discoveries.
歴史学 (history) relies on written records, whereas 先史学 deals with periods before writing.
Compound of 先史 (prehistory, from 先 'before' and 史 'history') and 学 (study, -ology).