1. Prehistory The time before writing was invented Events that occurred in the past before the invention of written records or writing Investigating the Past Understanding the Past-Lotus Project

2. History: A Record in Writing The written and other recorded events of people – Written records tell us much more than what is written and are more accurate – They can tell us what was important to the people of that time

3. Archaeology Archaeologists are scientists who examine objects to learn about peoples pasts and cultures Archaeologists piece together the evidence from the past to “tell the story” of artifacts and previous living civilizations

4. Primary Sources A document or object (ARTIFACTS) in use or present during the period of time in history An account of an event by someone who was present at the event Pottery Tools Clothing Housing Games Musical instruments Pictures Food

5. Secondary Sources Any document, source or person who reports or analyzes primary sources An account of an event by someone who was not present at the event EXAMPLES Historians Textbooks Fiction books Archaeologists

6. Oral Traditions Stories past down from generation to generation, through word of mouth, that can tell us what life was like during a certain period of time -Negative-not always historically accurate; stories often change as they are retold; like myths and legends, they often contain facts mixed with personal beliefs and exaggerations

7. Oral Traditions Examples Stories Songs Fables Tall-tales Poems Myths Legends Only considered a Primary Source when it comes from the FIRST generation to tell the story,…each generation there after, is a secondary source

8. Geography Geography is the study of Earth’s surface and the processes that shape it Geography also refers to the features of a place including – Climate (weather patterns) – Landscape – Location (water supply)

9. Geography and History The connections between geography and history can explain why some events occurred This can unlock a vast amount of information about past civilizations: What types of crops they grew What types of animals they hunted or domesticated What types of transportation they used