Protoscience refers to historical philosophical disciplines, developed prior to the Age of Enlightenment, that with the development of scientific method developed into science proper (prescientific). A standard example is alchemy, which from the 18th century became chemistry, or pre-modern astrology which from the 17th century became astronomy.
By extension, "protoscience" may be used in reference to any "set of beliefs or theories that have not yet been tested adequately by the scientific method but which are otherwise consistent with existing science".

Examples

History of science

• History of science in early cultures
  Science in the Middle Ages
  History of science in the Renaissance
  Philosophy of science
  Methodical culturalism
  Falsifiability
  Conjecture
  Hypothesis
  Pathological science
  Fringe science
  Natural magic
  Pseudoscience
  List of pseudoscientific theories
  Obsolete scientific theories