ancient

adj. very old, antique, archaic

n. person who lived in the distant past, member of an ancient people (such as the ancient Greeks)

The times before writing belong either to protohistory or to prehistory. Ancient history is the study of the written past from the beginning of human history until the Early Middle Ages. The goal of the modern day critical ancient historian is objectivity. The term classical antiquity is often used to refer to ancient history since the beginning of recorded Greek history in about 776 BC. This coincides roughly with the traditional date of the founding of Rome in 753 BC, the beginning of the history of ancient Rome.
See more at Wikipedia.org...

Adjective
1. belonging to times long past especially of the historical period before the fall of the Western Roman Empire; "ancient history"; "ancient civilizations such as those of the Etruscans and Sumerians"; "ancient Greece"
(similar) past
2. very old; "an ancient mariner"
(similar) old

(n.)
Those who lived in former ages, as opposed to the moderns.
  

(n.)
The bearer of a flag; an ensign.
  

(n.)
One of the senior members of the Inns of Court or of Chancery.
  

(n.)
An ensign or flag.
  

(n.)
An aged man; a patriarch. Hence: A governor; a ruler; a person of influence.
  

(n.)
A senior; an elder; a predecessor.
  

(a.)
Old; that has been of long duration; of long standing; of great age; as, an ancient forest; an ancient castle.
  

(a.)
Old; that happened or existed in former times, usually at a great distance of time; belonging to times long past; specifically applied to the times before the fall of the Roman empire; -- opposed to modern; as, ancient authors, literature, history; ancient days.
  

(a.)
Known for a long time, or from early times; -- opposed to recent or new; as, the ancient continent.
  

(a.)
Former; sometime.
  

(a.)
Experienced; versed.
  

(a.)
Dignified, like an aged man; magisterial; venerable.
  

Jashen, ancient; sleeping
  

ancient; rejoicing exceedingly
  

oriental; ancient; first
  

ancient