Incunabula or incunables is a term used to describe books that were printed during the earliest days of printing, generally before 1501, also known as the incunabula period. Synonyms for the word incunables include "fifteenth-century books," "early printed books," "first books," and "book of origins." Other terms include "cradle books," "prototypes," and "essentials." Many of the incunables are classified as rare books and can be found in museums, private collections, and libraries worldwide. Incunables are significant historical documents and are treasured for their value in understanding the history of printing and the development of the printing press.