Prehistory
Prehistory: 65,000,000 BC
Prehistory, or 65,000,000 BC, is a key time era in Chrono Trigger. It is the furthest back in time that the party can reach during their adventure (unless one counts the End of Time, which theoretically exists at both ends of the timeline). It is also the era in which Lavos first descends to the planet's surface.
The Prehistory era is defined by the struggle between the primitive human race and the technologically superior Reptites. Dinosaurs, massive primates, and other savage wildlife comprise the other non-sentient races of this era.
The majority of the humans in this era live in Ioka Village, a tribal village overseen and protected by Chief Ayla. Ayla serves as the champion for humankind in this era, and is among the few humans strong and determined enough to stand and fight against the advances of the Reptites. The party experiences the pre-modern culture of his era during a festival held in their honor, where they participate in events that are still present at the Millenial Fair, 65,001,000 years later, such as tribal dance and drinking contests.
The humans of this era are just starting to develop technology, though they have already progressed to the meager beginnings of a capital economy (using Fangs, Claws, Petals, and Horns as currency); Prehistorian craftsmen can create weapons and armor for every character in the party (though it is interesting to note that Ayla, the only party member from this era, fights with her bare fists). Fangs, Claws, Petals, and Horns can be found by defeating enemies in the Hunting Grounds, a jungle near to Ioka. The Hunting Grounds are periodically drenched by torrential rain, during which it is possible to engage a Nu in combat. Defeating the Nu provides a large number of all four currency, as well as a Mop, which Crono can equip.
The only other major human settlement is never fully explored by the party, as it is initially hidden in the jungle and the later destroyed. This village, Laruba, is populated by humans who have chosen to hide themselves rather than fight the Reptites. It, and the forests surrounding it, are burned down by Reptites during the course of the game, and the party only explores the village ruins in the aftermath. It is implied that the chief of Laruba Village controls access to the Dactyl Nest, a nearby mountain range. Dactyls (large, winged dinosaurs) have been tamed (though not apparently domesticated) by the people of Laruba, and can be used as flying mounts with the Chief's permission.
The Reptites control two major areas. The first is simply called the Reptite Lair, and is little more than a deep cave surrounded by a dense jungle, known as the Forest Maze. The Reptites use this location as a staging ground for their attacks on Ioka Village and their attempts to locate Labura Village. The party enters the Reptite Lair after losing the Gate Key while searching Prehistory for the Red Rock. It is also the first place Crono and his allies come face-to-face with Azala, leader of the Reptites.
Also found in this era (as it is in every era) is the Sun Keep.
In stark contrast to all other areas of Prehistory is the massive Tyrano Lair, a technologically superior Reptite fortress. Only reachable by air, the Tyrano Lair houses the Reptite's most fearsome warriors and weapons, including Nizbel and the dreaded Black Tyrano. The Tyrano Lair is actually the impact site of Lavos' descent to the earth's surface, and is almost completely destroyed during the course of the story. The buried ruins of the Lair are later found in the Middle Ages, called Giant's Claw.
After Lavos strikes the planet, the natives of Prehistory comment on the decreasing temperatures, indicating the beginning of the Ice Age that would dominate the surface of the planet during the era of Antiquity.