Introduction to Ancient Civilizations

1. What is History? History is the study of the past. Historians are people who study history. How people lived and why? What were the problems and how did people found solutions? Where did people work, fight, trade, farm, and worship? They study the past to understand people’s culture. Culture is the knowledge, beliefs, customs, and values of a group of people. # is the same on your worksheet; use it to help you stay on task Copy bolded words!

2. What is Archaeology? Archaeology is the study of the past based on what people left behind. Archaeologists, or people who practice archaeology, explore places where people once lived, worked, or fought. The things people left behind may include jewelry, dishes, or weapons, stone tools, or huge buildings. Archaeologists examine the objects to see what they tell us about the past.

3. Using Clues We must rely on a variety of sources to learn history. A fossil is a part of imprint of something that was once alive. Bones and footprints preserved in rock Artifacts are objects created by and used by humans Coins, arrowheads, tools, toys, pottery

4. Sources of Information Historical sources come in two types. A primary source is an account of an event created by someone who took part in or witnessed the event. Treaties, letters, diaries, laws, and court documents A secondary source is information gathered by someone who did not take part in or witness an event. History textbooks, journal articles, and encyclopedias

5. Studying Geography Geography is the study of the earth’s physical and cultural features Geography influenced the early development of cultures. Ex. People who lived along rivers learned to make fishhooks and boats, while those far from rivers did not. Geography has helped shape history and has affected the growth of societies. Ex. Society first formed along rivers b/c crops grown on the fertile land fed large populations

6. Primary Source “They are the captains and kings, saints and fanatics, traitors, rogues and villains, pathfinders and explorers, thinkers and creators, even, occasionally, heroes. They are significant---if not necessarily admirable…they matter. They are the actors, not the acted upon, and are consequently that much more interesting.” Why does the author think the people she discusses are interesting? A. They write books about history. B. They do things that are remembered. C. They obey the laws of their societies. D. The author knows more about those people.

7. Timeline BC (Before Christ) or BCE (Before Common Era) AD (Ano Domino) or CE (Common Era) Put the following dates in order from oldest to most recent. ______ 523 AD ______ 32 BC ______ 1500 BC ______ 84 AD ______ 893 BC

Which cities were early Buddhist areas? A. Summatra and Sarnath, B. Sarnath and Bodh Gaya, C. Tibet and Sanchi, D. Sarnath and Nepal What country did Buddhism begin in? A. China B. Jerusalem C. Japan D. India