The prehistoric epoch is the unwritten and most continuous period in human's development, full of many secrets and mysteries. For the contemporary Bulgarian lands, this is the period between 1, 3 millennium BC. and 1000 BC.

     Paleolithic (stone) Age – 1, 3 mln. - 6 000 BC

     The Paleolithic Age is the time of the evolution of the earliest representatives of the human kind – the hominids to today's developed kind – homo sapiens. In this period our predecessors lived in caves, used stone tools and gained all skills, without which our life is unthinkable (fire, weapon, food-processing). With the archaeological excavations of the Kozarnika cave, near Belogradtchik (Northwest Bulgaria), the earliest traces of life in Europe were found (1,3 mln. BC). Many other proofs for human presence in our lands were found in sites like the Кarlukovo cave (Iskar gorge), the Bacho Kiro cave near Dryanovo, in Мuselievo (Pleven region).

     Neolithic (New Stone) Age – 6000 - 5000 BC

     The Neolithic period marks the first revolution in the human history. This is the time when man begins to plant, tame animals, produce pottery and polished-stone tools or build a permanent settlement. Our lands were among the most developed areas from the Iranian plateau to the Balkan Peninsula. The most famous monuments from this time are the settlement mounds which were inhabited millennia ago. Today they can be seen in the region of the Upper Thracian valley, and the most prominent of them is Кaranovo (near Nova Zagora town) -"the prehistoric capital of Europe". The two dwellings from the settlement in Stara Zagora town are unique and now they are exhibited in a museum.

     Chalcolithic (Copper ) Age – 5000 - 3500 BC

     Тhree extraordinary discoveries mark the development of this epoch: the earliest copper mines in the world, found near Stara Zagora town; the earliest processed gold in the world (7 кg), discovered in the Varna necropolis and exhibited in the Varna Archaeological museum and the earliest stone architecture in Europe, discovered in the settlement of Durankulak (Northeast Bulgaria). Now the settlement is an open-air exhibition.

     Bronze Age – 3500 - 1000 BC

     In this period begins the manufacture of tools and weapons from the first copper alloy – bronze. The people continued to live in settlement mounds and make trade contacts of great distances, especially with the lands of ancient Anatolia (today's Turkey). The most prominent monument of the epoch is the golden Valchitrun treasure (12,45 kg), kept in the National Archaeological museum.