1. relating to or belonging to the period between prehistory and recorded history, when some written records exist but are limited
Usage: archaeological; historical

Examples

• The protohistoric period in Europe spans roughly from 800 to 50 BCE.
• Archaeologists study protohistoric cultures through both artifacts and fragmentary written sources.
• The protohistoric settlements showed evidence of early trade networks.
• Many protohistoric societies left behind inscriptions that scholars are still trying to decipher.
• The transition from prehistoric to protohistoric times marked the beginning of written documentation.
• Protohistoric research combines archaeological methods with analysis of ancient texts.