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Discovering the PastLesson 3

+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

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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

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Interpreting the PastLesson 4

+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