Prehistoric Korea (c. 8000 BCE - 3rd century BCE)

This era marks the earliest human presence on the Korean Peninsula. Archaeological evidence suggests that the first inhabitants were hunter-gatherers who later transitioned into settled agricultural communities.

Neolithic Period: By around 8000 BCE, people in Korea began to develop basic farming, fishing, and pottery-making techniques.
Bronze Age: From around 1000 BCE, the use of bronze tools and weapons became widespread, marking the beginning of a more organized society.

Early Korean society was likely composed of various tribal groups with loose social structures, without unified governance.

Gojoseon (c. 2333 BCE - 108 BCE)

Gojoseon is traditionally considered the first Korean kingdom. According to myth, it was founded in 2333 BCE by Dangun, the son of a heavenly god and a bear-woman, though historical evidence for this exact timeline is debated.

Early Gojoseon: The kingdom gradually consolidated power, establishing its dominance over the northern Korean Peninsula and parts of Manchuria.
Decline of Gojoseon: By the 2nd century BCE, the kingdom was weakened by internal strife and external pressure, particularly from the Chinese Han Dynasty.In 108 BCE, Gojoseon fell to the Han Empire after a military campaign, leading to its disintegration.

Three Han Confederacies (c. 108 BCE - 1st century CE)

After the fall of Gojoseon, the Korean Peninsula was divided into smaller states collectively referred to as the "Three Han."

These were:

Mahan (in the southwestern region),
Pyeongan (in the central area), and
Byeonhan (in the southeastern region).

These were loose confederations of small tribes or states, each with its own ruler, but they were influenced by Chinese culture and governance, particularly the Han Dynasty, which established commanderies in the area.

The Three Kingdoms Period (c. 57 BCE - 668 CE)

This era marks the rise of three powerful kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula: Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla.

Goguryeo: Located in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria, Goguryeo became one of the strongest military powers in East Asia. It had frequent interactions with China, particularly the Han, Wei, and Tang Dynasties.
Baekje: Based in the southwest, Baekje was known for its cultural achievements, particularly in the arts, and its strong maritime trade.
Silla: Located in the southeastern part of the Peninsula, Silla initially struggled to gain power but eventually became the dominant kingdom through strategic alliances, including its famous partnership with Tang China.

The Three Kingdoms Period was characterized by constant warfare, shifting alliances, and cultural exchanges with China and Japan. In the late 7th century, Silla, with the help of the Tang Dynasty, was able to conquer Baekje and Goguryeo, leading to the eventual unification of the Korean Peninsula.