but that wasn't prehistoric.
True, though it may have been knowledge which was tightly held by a small class of actors, so it never became "common knowledge". In a sense, it's prehistoric origins would not be known. We know the Romans used it, that's historical. We don't know the inventor.
Put on your tinfoil hat, as the basis for the origins of the Masons has to do with the secrets of building. The guild kept the secrets from the ruling classes, forcing the ruling classes to deal with the guild if they wanted to build anything "important". Kinda make one wonder why a pyramid is among the Masonic symbols...