Early Human History and Civilizations Vocabulary

Key vocabulary terms and definitions covering archaeology, hominids, early ages of human history, agriculture, and early civilizations.

Archaeology

The study of past societies through analysis of what people left behind.

Anthropology

The study of human life and culture, where culture includes what people wear, how they organize their society, and what they value.

Radiocarbon Dating

A method to determine the age of formerly living things by determining the loss of Carbon-14 after a living thing dies, accurate for objects no more than 50,000 years old.

Homo Sapiens

Meaning "wise human", anatomically modern humans that first appeared in Africa between 200,000 and 150,000 years ago and ultimately replaced earlier hominids in Europe and Asia.

Neanderthals

Groups of hominids that lived between 200,000 and 30,000 years ago, originating in what is now Europe and Turkey, who may have died out due to conflict with advancing Homo Sapiens.

Paleolithic Age

The early period of human history (approximately 2,500,000 B.C. to 10,000 B.C.), also referred to as the Old Stone Age, in which humans used simple stone tools.

Nomads

People who move from place to place to survive.

Neolithic Age

The "New Stone" Age occurring between 8000 B.C. and 4000 B.C., marked by a shift from hunting/gathering to planting crops and domesticating animals.

Systematic Agriculture

The keeping of animals and the growing of food on a regular basis.

Artisan

Skilled workers who make products such as weapons and jewelry.

Bronze Age

The period between 3000 B.C. and 1200 B.C. where artisans combined copper and tin to create bronze, a metal harder and more durable than copper.

Culture

The way of life that people follow in a certain time and place.

Civilization

A complex culture in which large numbers of people share a number of common elements such as social structure, religion, and art.

Monarchs

Kings or queens who led governments in the earliest civilizations and made laws to regulate their subjects' lives.

Priests

Important figures in early urban civilizations who supervised rituals aimed at pleasing gods and goddesses to win their favor and ensure community success.