1. Chapter 1, Lesson 1 What is History?
It Matters Because:
Events of the past created the world we live in today, & knowing history can help us make predictions & decisions about the future.

2. I. Why Study History? A. History - study of people, events of the past
Mr. Walls says: “History is the study of causes & effects.”
Tells how cultures formed & changed over time
Helps us understand the present in which we live
Helps us make choices about the future
a. sets examples from which we can learn

3. Large block of time; length varies
Measuring Time
How is time measured?
3. Century
1. Year -
4. Millennium
2. Decade
5. Era
365 days
100 years
1000 years
10 years
Large block of time; length varies

4. II. Eras of History
A. Prehistoric Era: time before people invented writing
B. Ancient Era: about 3500 BC - AD 500
1. from invention of writing to Fall of Rome
C. Middle Ages or Medieval Era: AD
1. Fall of Rome to beginning of Renaissance
D. Modern Era: Present

5. III. How Historians Track Time
One tool is a calendar
Calendar - system for arranging days in order
Today’s calendar is blend of Julian & Gregorian Calendars.
B. Another is a timeline
1. Timeline - illustration to show order of events
2. Divided into even sections of time
C. Historical time divided into two periods
Before birth of Jesus Christ (B.C.)
After His birth (A.D.)

7. IV. Digging Up the Past
A. Prehistory - time before invention of writing
1. How do we know what prehistoric life was like?
2. Archaeology - studying artifacts people left behind
a. Artifacts - objects made by people
- Tools – hatchets, saws, hammers, fishhooks
- Weapons – clubs, spears, bows & arrows, knives
- Household items – pottery, cups, carvings, etc.
3. Paleontology - studying fossils
a. fossils - preserved remains of plant or animal life
- Bones, shells, plant remains

8. What can we infer about these cultures?

9. What can we infer about these cultures?

10. V. Lucy Ancient human ancestor discovered in Ethiopia
million year old fossil
2. About 3.5 feet tall, about 60 pounds
3. Had long arms, short legs, walked upright
4. Her species is called Australopithecus afarensis