300 000 year old flint tools found in Northern France

Past Horizons ^ | Monday, July 16, 2012 | Source: INRAP

[BroJoeK]

equaviator: "If human beings were indeed making and using hand tools 300,000 years ago then I think it’s fair to say that the historic timeline of hand tools goes that far back."

By normal definition of the word "history", it began when people themselves began writing, circa 3,200 BC.
Everything before that is classified as "pre-historic".

"Pre-historic" doesn't mean we know nothing about those folks, just that we have no written records which they themselves left.

[colorado tanker]

Every time the ice retreats humans occupy that fertile European land. And inevitably we are pushed back when the ice returns.

But, of course, the geniuses at AGW Central have discovered CO2 is the magic bullet that can turn off the glacial cycle! Not!

[1010RD]

Great point. Do you have a link/source for your tagline?

[equaviator]

So then the difference is between what had been recorded at the time and evidence being discovered and recorded now. I think it all counts as history, whether it be Nostradamus’ Quatraines, cave paintings, distant supernovae or the fossilized remains of some previously undiscovered ancient species.

[BroJoeK]

equaviator: "I think it all counts as history..."

Counts for what?
If you wish to count everything as "history" and effectively eliminate the concept of "prehistoric", what exactly do you gain?

To repeat: the usual definition of "history" means "recorded history", with "prehistoric" meaning "before recorded history".

I'd say that's still an important distinction, so what is your problem with it?