Post on 13-Dec-2015
+Homework Review Questions
Terms, Definitions, Explanations and Visuals
1)Write the definition and an example sentence of: archaeology, artifact, excavation, anthropology, culture
2)Make a diagram/chart/visual of what archaeologists search for
Main Ideas (3-5 sentences)
1)How does an archaeologist carry out an excavation?
2)Why is new evidence important to archaeologists and anthropologists?
Critical Thinking (5-7 sentences)
1)What different types of information do archaeologists and anthropologists provide for historians?
2)Why is it important for people researching the past to keep an open mind?
+Words to Know
Evidence (n.) Def: objects, facts, or signs that help one come to a conclusion
Ex: Students demonstrate evidence of review and comprehension with good HW
Buried (v.) Def: in the ground and covered with earth
Ex: Students should bury themselves in books all the time Function (v.) Def: purpose or
use
Ex: The function of a classroom is to be a learning environment
+Digging up the Past
Archaeology: the recovery and study of physical evidence from the past
Archaeologists search for artifacts: an object made by a human such as tools, pottery, jewelry
Artifacts also include cave homes, irrigation ditches, animal bones people used
Step 1: select location (or site)
Step 2: explore site + make map
Step 3: collect artifacts
Excavation: digging to find buried evidence
Step 4: mark where artifacts are found on the map describe, photograph, count
Step 5: draw conclusions based on evidence
Carbon dating: scientific process used to estimate the age of objects
+Studying Humans
Anthropology: the study of humans and human cultures
2 types Physical anthropology:
physical traits of humans (ex: study brain size)
Cultural anthropology: includes arts, beliefs, customs, language and technology
Archaeologists and anthropologists use their skills to interpret history
SOMETIMES that interpretation can CHANGE based on NEW INFORMATION
=
History is a living document
+Ancient Mayan City of Cancun
Discovered in 1905
Archaeologists thought it was small Mayan city
Most buildings = temples
Old theory: Mayan cities = very religious = Mayan kings based their power on religion and warfare
NEW DISCOVERY: In 2000, archaeologists discovered HUGE PALACE (170 rooms, 11 courtyards, walls 6ft thick) Small houses + workshops
surrounded palace = large city
New theory: Cancun is a center of trade
Lesson: new evidence can cause archaeologists and anthropologists and HISTORIANS to change their theories about the past
Old Theory New Theory
+Homework Review Questions
Terms, Definitions, Explanations and Visuals
1)Write the definition and an example sentence of: history, historian, primary source, oral history, secondary source
2)Make a diagram/chart/visual of different types of historical sources
Main Ideas (3-5 sentences)
1)What types of questions do historians try to answer?
2)What factors can change a historical interpretation?
Critical Thinking (5-7 sentences)
1)How might using an artifact as a primary source compare with a written primary source?
2)How believable would a general’s diary entry about a battle be? Explain.
+Words to Know
Put (v.) Def: expressed in words; stated
Ex: The student put the answer in a very clear way
Period (n.) Def: a length of portion of time
Ex: This year of your young life is an important period in your development in an outstanding person
Sealed (v.) Def: closed or shut tight
Ex: She sealed her secrets in seashell buried in the shore.
+The Story of the Past
History: the study of past events
Historian: person who studies and interprets, or explains, the importance of the past.
History is IMPORTANT because it helps us LEARN about today and our future…“Those who DO NOT remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”- George Santayana
“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.”- Mark Twain
+Historical Questions
Questions help historians investigate the past in a meaningful way
Questions help us focus our research
Examples: In what order did event happen? How have belief systems developed and changed? How have societies dealt with differences among their people? How are societies similar and different? Why did things happen the way they did? (Cause & Effect) How have groups or societies interacted, and what have been the
results?
+How Historians Work
Primary source: a document or artifact created during a particular historical period Ex: military records, marriage certificates, diaries and
private letters, photographs Ex: buildings, artworks, pottery, tools, jewelry Oral history: spoken history, passed from generation to
generation in songs and stories
+How Historians Work
Secondary source: a work produced about a historical event by someone who was not actually there Ex: newspapers, books, paintings Secondary sources can be useful because they analyze
multiple primary sources and paint a BIG PICTURE of history
+BIAS
Historians have to be careful when using sources
BIAS = point of view There is nothing inherently wrong with bias – it is impossible to
avoid or get rid of entirely But historians seek to both minimized their own bias toward
sources, and understand the natural biases of historical actors.
Things to consider: Why was the source written or recorded? Whom was the source written for? What was the author’s point of view?
Answering these questions allows historians to learn more about sources AND evaluate their usefulness as evidence