Transcript File

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Discovering the Past
Lesson 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
mind?
is it important for people researching the past to keep an open
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Evidence (n.)
Words to Know
Buried (v.)
Ex: Students
should bury
themselves in
books all the
time
Def: in the
ground and
covered with
earth
Def: objects, facts,
or signs that help
one come to a
conclusion
Ex: Students
demonstrate
evidence of review
and comprehension
with good HW
Function (v.)
Ex: The function of a
classroom is to be a
learning environment
Def: purpose or use
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Digging up the Past
Step 1: select location (or site)
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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 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
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Studying Humans
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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
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Archaeologists and
anthropologists use their skills
to interpret history
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SOMETIMES that
interpretation can CHANGE
based on NEW INFORMATION
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History is a living document
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Ancient Mayan City of Cancun
Old Theory
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Discovered in 1905
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Archaeologists thought it was
small Mayan city
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Most buildings = temples
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Old theory: Mayan cities =
very religious = Mayan kings
based their power on religion
and warfare
New Theory
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NEW DISCOVERY: In 2000,
archaeologists discovered HUGE
PALACE (170 rooms, 11 courtyards,
walls 6ft thick)
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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
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Interpreting the Past
Lesson 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.
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Words to Know
Put (v.)
Def:
expressed in
words; stated
Ex: The student
put the answer
in a very clear
way
Sealed (v.)
Ex: She sealed her
secrets in seashell buried
in the shore.
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
Def: closed or shut tight
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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
“History doesn’t repeat itself,
are condemned to repeat it.”
but it does rhyme.”
- George Santayana
- Mark Twain
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Historical Questions
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Questions help historians investigate the past in a meaningful way
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Questions help us focus our research
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Examples:
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In what order did event happen?
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How have belief systems developed and changed?
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How have societies dealt with differences among their people?
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How are societies similar and different?
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Why did things happen the way they did? (Cause & Effect)
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How have groups or societies interacted, and what have been the
results?
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How Historians Work
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Primary source: a document or artifact created during a
particular historical period
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Ex: military records, marriage certificates, diaries and private
letters, photographs
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Ex: buildings, artworks, pottery, tools, jewelry
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Oral history: spoken history, passed from generation to
generation in songs and stories
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How Historians Work
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Secondary source: a work produced about a historical event
by someone who was not actually there
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Ex: newspapers, books, paintings
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Secondary sources can be useful because they analyze multiple
primary sources and paint a BIG PICTURE of history
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BIAS
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Historians have to be careful when using sources
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BIAS = point of view
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Things to consider:
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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.
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