Introduction to History Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational concepts, methods, sources, and definitions in history and archaeology.

History

The study of the past

Source

Something that gives us information or evidence about a person, place or thing in the past

Prehistory

The period of time before writing was used

Archaeology

The study of the remains left by people in the past

Historical consciousness

Being able to place ourselves in past human experience, linking the past, the present and the future

Historian

Someone who is an expert in, or a student of, history

Archaeologist

Someone who investigates places and objects left by people in the past, including the time before written records were kept

Cross-checking

When more than one source is used to make sure the information is correct

Historical repository

A place where evidence of the past can be stored and maintained

Archive

A place that catalogues and stores a collection of written and other sources

Museum

A place that collects and displays objects for public education and appreciation

Primary source

A source from the time in question; a first-hand account of what happened

Secondary source

A source from a later date, after the time in question

Artefact

Any human-made object, e.g. pottery, a tool or a weapon such as a spear

Census

An official survey of a population

Autobiography

An account of a person's life written by the person themselves

Biography

An account of a person's life written by someone else

Handling box

A box containing replicas (copies) of artefacts, so that anyone can examine them without damaging an original

Accuracy

Judging how correct the information you are using is

Bias

When an account is not balanced, but unfairly favours one side

Exaggeration

When something is represented as better or worse than it actually was

Propaganda

Information that has been designed to influence the attitudes and behaviours of the general public

Tactile source

A source that can be touched - a physical object, like an artefact

Chronology

Putting events into the sequence in which they happened

Reinterpretation

To see something in a new or different light