Key Concepts in History

First-hand account

Refers to a direct observation or experience of an event, often provided by primary sources

Second-hand account

Refers to information that is reported by someone who did not witness the event, often provided bu secondary sources

Bias

Refers to the tendency of sources to reflect an unbalanced or unfair opinion

Prehistory

The period of time before written records

Archaeologists

Scientists who study the remains left behind by humans

Paleontologists

Scientists who study the remains of all life forms (including dinosaurs)

Facts

Refers to information that is not under dispute, they may include information such as what happened, who was involved and when an event occurred

Interpretations

This explains how or why something happened

Chronology

The arrangement of events or dates in the order of their occurrence