How long ago was bce?

Answer 1

Today is 2009 AD (CE), meaning that 2,008 years ago the year was 1 AD (CE). The year before 1 AD (CE) was 1 BC (BCE). So, BCE was 2,009 years ago. CE started from the estimated first year of Jesus Christ's birth.

Answer 2

The period BCE ends when CE starts - the nominal date for the birth of Jesus. When it begins is undefinable.

Scholars usually give a date as BCE if known accurately or if recent enough that 2000 years would make a difference. For dates much further into the past, they usually say 'BP' - Before Present. Obviously a date approximately 100,000 years ago would be much the same whether 100,000 BCE or 100,000 BP.