Hey there! Let's embark on a thrilling time-travel adventure and discover the roots of literacy and its relationship to history. Buckle up, it's going to be fun!

History, our favorite storyteller, begins with literacy. That's right! Traditionally, the start of history coincides with the development of literacy. Picture everything before this time as an untouched forest of myths and traditions, beyond the scope of history. This age is often called prehistorical.

• Real-World Example: Think about your family traditions, the stories your grandma told you, they were not written down and hence could be considered 'prehistorical'!

The first written records appeared around the 4th millennium BCE, in places like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China. Some folks believe this marks the start of history.

• Real-World Example: You remember the hieroglyphs from Egypt? They are one of the earliest written records!

Interestingly, even after literacy came into being, the first historians didn't appear until the 5th century BCE. This time, known as protohistory, saw variations across different societies.

• Real-World Example: Think about your school. Even after you learn how to write, it takes some time before you start writing essays or reports, right? This phase is like protohistory.