Prehistory: Architecture, Art, Furniture, and Interiors The prehistoric period is the beginning of the history of architecture, art, furniture, and interior design. It includes the Paleolithic period, Neolithic period, and Bronze Age . During this time, humans learned how to use natural materials such as stone, wood, hides, reeds, grasses, and mud to create tools, shelters, furniture, artwork, and monuments. As humans moved from a nomadic lifestyle to permanent settlements, their designs became more complex and began to include both practical and symbolic purposes. One of the most important things I learned from this chapter is that prehistoric people did not create things only for survival. They also cared about beauty, symmetry, decoration, organization, and meaning. Examples such as the paintings at Lascaux, the built-in furniture at Skara Brae, Çatal Hüyük, and Stonehenge show that design has been an important part of human life for thousands of years. ...