History of Indonesia covers a very long period of time that began in prehistoric times by the discovery of "Java Man" that was 1.7 million years ago. Indonesia historical period can be divided into five eras: pre-colonial era, the rise of the kingdoms of Hindu-Buddhist and Islam in Java and Sumatra, which mainly rely on trade; Colonial Era, the influx of Europeans (mainly Dutch) who want spice lead to colonization by Netherlands for about 3.5 centuries between the early 17th century until the mid-20th century; early Independence Era, post-Proclamation of Indonesian Independence (1945) until the fall of Sukarno (1966); Era New Order, Soeharto's 32-year reign (1966 -1998), and the Reformation Era which lasted until now.



Prehistoric

Geologically, the area of ​​modern Indonesia (for convenience, hereinafter referred to as the Archipelago) is a meeting between the three major continental plates: the Eurasian Plate, Indo-Australian Plate and the Pacific Plate (see article Geology Indonesia). The Indonesian archipelago as it exists today was formed during the melting of the ice after the end of the Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago.

During the Pleistocene, when it was still connected to mainland Asia, come first settlers. The first evidence indicating the earliest inhabitants were Homo erectus fossils from the human Java 2 million to 500,000 years ago. Discovery of the remains "Flores man" (Homo floresiensis) [1] in Liang Bua, Flores, opening the possibility of survival is H. erectus until the last Ice Age. [2]

Homo sapiens first entered the archipelago since the estimated 100,000 years ago through the coastal route from Asia Western Asia, and at around 60 000 to 70 000 years ago has reached New Guinea and Australia. [3] Those who berfenotipe dark skin and curly hair meeting, the ancestors of indigenous Melanesians (including Papua) now and bring culture hatchet shaped (Paleolithic). Waves of Austronesian-speaking immigrants to the Neolithic cultures come in waves since 3000 BC from Southern China through Formosa and the Philippines to bring culture square pickaxe (Dong Son culture). Process migration is part of the occupation of the Pacific. Wave arrival characteristically Mongoloid population tends to the west, urged residents earlier eastward or mate mixed with the locals and physically characterize the Moluccas and Lombok. Settlers brought with agricultural techniques, including planting rice in paddy fields (at the latest evidence from the 8th century BC), raising buffalo, bronze and iron processing, weaving techniques, megalithic practices, and worship of the spirits ( animism) and sacred objects (dynamism). In the first century BC established settlements and small kingdoms, and quite possibly already in effect due to the confidence of India trade relations

 Some of the criteria in the periodicity or stages of history
• Geographical criteria (territorial)
• Criteria for the time sequence
• The criteria on the basis of a dynasty
• Criteria of time on the basis of economic development, and so on.
Some examples of historical periodization Indonesia
In terms of the chronology of the history of Indonesia, broadly divided into two. The first is the period of human prehistory of the period before Indonesia recognize text. Second is the historical period, the period after the discovery of written evidence in Indonesia.
Prehistoric Periodization Indonesia
a.periode prehistoric Indonesia opinion P. V. Van Stein Callenfels, Th. Van der Hoop, and H. R. Van Heekeran. According to these experts in terms of the kind of technological approaches or criteria Indonesian prehistoric period is divided into: the Old Stone Age (Paleolithic), Associate of the Stone Age (Mesolitikum), Age Stone Age (Neolithic), and Metal Age (Bronze Age and the Iron Age). Each day shows the level of understanding and mastery of technology different from society. In this case memeiliki middle stone age level of technology is more advanced than the old stone age. The most noticeable difference is in the use of stone tools. In the middle stone age stone tools used has been honed or burnished to a particular part you want to get the sharpness or acuity. Similarly, a young stone age more advanced technology than middle stone age, and so on.
b.periode prehistoric Indonesia opinion R. P. Soejono. According to terms of the relationship between the environment, people and cultures, Indonesian prehistoric period is divided into several stages of age, the period of hunting and gathering, cultivation period and the period perundagian.
Periodization History of Indonesia
There are many opinions expressed by historians associated with the periodicity of Indonesia's national history. Among them are the following:
a.Pembabakan history of Indonesia according to H. J. De Graaf (1949) in his book "Geschiedenis van Indonesia" which divides the history of Indonesia in five major Babakan. First, the people of Indonesia and Southeast Asia up to 1650, and second, the West in Indonesia (1511-1800) the history of the VOC; Third, people in Indonesia VOC era (1600-1800), fourth, VOC outside Indonesia, and the fifth, the Indonesia in the Dutch East Indies (post-1800).
b. Stages of the history of Indonesia by J. J. Meinninsma (1972) in his book "Geschiedenis van de Oost-Indische Nederlandsch Bezettingen". Meinninsma divides Indonesia into two periods of history the main Babakan. First, the VOC and the Netherlands Indies during the second period of the Dutch Netherlands Indies.