Foundations & Early Humans Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards for studying early human history, historical sources, and archaeological terms.

Primary Source

Firsthand evidence from the time being studied, such as a letter, diary, photograph, speech, artifact, or map.

Secondary Source

A source created after an event by someone who did not experience it firsthand. It explains or interprets primary sources.

Artifacts

Objects made or used by people in the past that help us learn about how they lived.

Archaeologist

A scientist who studies the past by examining artifacts, ruins, fossils, and other physical remains.

Historian

A person who studies and writes about the past using evidence from sources.

Prehistory

The time before written records.

Domestication

The process of changing plants or animals over time so they are useful to humans.

Surplus

More of something than is needed, especially extra food.

Nomad

A person or group that moves from place to place instead of living permanently in one location.

Hominin

A human or early human ancestor that walked upright.

Agriculture

Farming, including growing crops and raising animals for food and other needs.

Fertile Crescent

A curved area of fertile land in Southwest Asia where early farming and civilizations developed.

Paleolithic

The Old Stone Age, when people lived as hunter-gatherers and used simple stone tools.

Neolithic

The New Stone Age, when people began farming, domesticating animals, and living in permanent settlements.