Related: Evolution; The Fossil Record
Modern Archeology and Anthropology. The conclusions of modern archeologists and anthropologists about the early history of man is founded on human wisdom and speculation. We must turn to the Word of God to get His account of early man. Genesis 1 - 11 are key chapters, as well as the moral history of Romans 1:19-32, although Romans 1 is not limited to the early history. Modern anthropologists divide the protohistory of humankind into three ages: a "stone age" (2000 B.C. and earlier), a "bronze age" (2000 - 1000 B.C.), and an "iron age" (1000 - 500 B.C.). This based on the finding of stone, bronze, and iron tools which date to various periods. In this view, all humanity was reduced to stone tools for centuries, etc. This is directly contradicted by scripture. We read of one of Cain's descendants before the flood: "And Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, the forger of every kind of tool of brass and iron" (Gen. 4:22). Furthermore, it is foolish to think that the long life-span of pre-flood humans is compatible with a stone-age, taking for granted that we believe the statements of Genesis 1 - 11. For example, there would certainly be advances beyond stone tools in 900 years of farming! The Bible is clear that civilization before the flood had progressed to where there was significant leisure available to man; "as they were in the days which were before the flood, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day on which Noe entered into the ark" (Matt. 24:38). Has there been scientific advancement since? Certainly. But the idea of a stone-age is really unscriptural. The evidence of stone tools from that era supports what scripture says about the degradation of the heathen (Rom. 1:19-32). Even today there are tribes in remote places that use stone tools. The archeological evidence of many stone tools from that era is not proof that the entire population was limited to that class of instruments.
The outward progress of mankind must have been all the greater because of their longevity. Whatever it was, the sons of Noah possessed all on their new start. No theory is more fallacious than the pretended ages of stone, bronze, and iron. Men, in their wanderings into rude forest life or other forms of savagery, fell into the circumstances of such facts, which still exist under similar conditions: to generalise them, as successive periods through which all passed, is mere myth, not history.1
But in all of these things, whether archeology or anthropology, we must submit to the Word of God. The great questions of life can only be answered by the Word of God. It was the wisdom of God not not burden the scripture with the details of natural science. We do not need science to uphold the Genesis account. God has spoken, and faith receives what God has said.