Theories

Most of what we study is based on facts, but scientists have to make Theorieseducated guesses about prehistory. We call these guesses theories. Theories about prehistory often change as we make new discoveries about the past.

Many cultures and religious faiths have creation stories. Some people believe that God created the earth about six thousand years ago in six days, as explained in the Book of Genesis. They do not share the view of prehistory held by most scientists.

Scientists are not positive their theories are correct. Theories frequently change as we make new discoveries. Almost everything we know about prehistory is based on what we have learned in the last two hundred years. It is quite possible that the theories presented today will be very different from what we will discover in the future.

Bishop UssherBishop Ussher

James Ussher was an Irish biblical scholar who wrote The Annals of the World in 1658. Through careful study of the Book of Genesis and other religious texts, Bishop Ussher concluded that God created the earth on Sunday, October 23, 4004BC. Bishop Ussher stated that Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden on Monday, November 10, 4004BC, and that Noah's Ark reached land on Wednesday, May 5, 1491BC.

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Dowling, Mike. "Theories" www.mrdowling.com. Updated August 8, 2011 . Web. Date of Access. <http://www.mrdowling.com/602-theories.html>