Unit 1 Key terms

Pre history The time before there was writing

history the written and other recorded events of people.

archaeology The study of the past based on objects left behind

culture The knowledge ,beliefs, customs, and values of a group of people

fossil A part or imprint of something that was ONCE alive. ( no longer alive)

Primary source An account of an event by someone who took part in or witnessed the event

secondary source Information gathered by someone who did NOT take part or witness the event

artifact An object created or used by humans.

geography The study of earths physical and cultural features.

hominid An early ancestor of humans

Homo habilis name means “ handy man” Used chopper tools

Homo erectus name means “upright man” Can control fire -used hand ax

Homo sapien name means “ wise man” Same species as modern humans can create fire Developed language

“the Iceman” In 1991 an iceman’s frozen body was discovered in the Alps, on the Italian-Austrian border in Europe.

B.C An abbreviation used with dates of events that took place before the birth of Jesus. b.c. stands for before Christ. ( Compare a.d.; see b.c.e.)

A.D The terms anno Domini The term anno Domini is Medieval Latin, which means in the year of the Lord but is often translated as in the “year of our Lord.” Oftenly thought of as “after death”

Hunter-gatherer a member of a nomadic people who live chiefly by hunting, fishing, and harvesting wild food.

nomadic anything that involves moving around a lot.

Stone age : the first known period of prehistoric human culture characterized by the use of humans made lasting tools and weapons mainly from stone

cultivation prepare and use (land) for crops or gardening. (grow )

domestication To tame (animals, plants, etc)

agriculture the science or practice of farming growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food

Paleolithic Era Old stone age

Mesolithic Era Middle stone age Marked by the difference in weapons

Neolithic Era New stone age characterized by the beginning of farming, the domestication of animals, the development of crafts such as pottery and weaving, and the making of polished stone tools.

Neolithic Revolution The Neolithic revolution was the first agricultural revolution—the transition from nomadic hunting and gathering communities and bands to agriculture and settlement

population all the inhabitants of a particular town, area, or country

economy the wealth and resources of a country or region