WH- Prehistory, The Americas, and Early Religions

Animism

The belief that all objects, places, and creatures of the natural world possess a distinct spiritual essence.

Covenant

Sacred agreement between God and the Jewish people. In the story of Abraham and Issac, God promised to protect and bless Abraham's descendents, and in return, they were to be faithful followers of God.

Hindusism

A polytheistic religion originating in India; it centers on beliefs like karma, dharma, and achieving moksha (liberation from the cycle of reincarnation).

Judaism

One of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, it centers on the teachings of the Torah, the sacred text that includes laws and ethical principals.

The Maya

An ancient Mesoamerican civilization that flourished from around 1800 BCE to 1500 CE; they are known for their advanced knowledge of astronomy, their impressive cities, and complex writing systems.

Monotheism

belief in a single God

Mythology

Traditional stories that explain beliefs, origins, and practices of a civilization or religion. They often involve gods, creation, and they help to convey moral lessons or describe ideal behavior.

The Neolithic Revolution

The transition from nomadic hunting and gathering societies to settled agricultural communities around 10,000 B.C.E.

Oracle Bones

Used in ancient China by shamans who inscribed questions on animal bones or turtle shells, heated them, and interpreted the resulting cracks to communicate with ancestors or predict the future.

The Paleolithic Age

The earliest period of human history, characterized by the use of stone tools, lasting until the Neolithic Revolution

Pantheon

The collective group of gods or deities worshiped in a particular culture, typically in polytheistic religions.

Polytheism

The belief or worship in more than one god.

Pre-Colombian America

The period in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus.

Reincarnantion

In Hinduism, the belief that after death the soul is reborn into a new body.

Zoroastrianism

Founded by Zoroaster in ancient Persia, this monotheistic religion teaches that there is a cosmic struggle between god and evil; it influenced later religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Abraham

Considered the father of the Jewish people who established a covenant with God and was chosen to lead his descendants.

Dharma

In Hinduism, it refers to the moral duties, responsibilities, and righteous behavior that individuals must follow according to their role in society.

Homo sapiens

Modern humans- characterized by larger brains, advanced tools, and language-which evolved around 300,000 years ago in Africa.

Jerusalem

Founded to unite the twelve tribes of Israel by King David around 1000 BCE establisihing it as the political and religious center of the ancient Jewish kingdom.

Karma

In Hindusism, this plays a key role in the cycle of rebirth in that every action, good or bad, has consquences that affect a person's future, in this life or future reincarnations.

Moshka

Liberation from the cycle of rebirth in Hinduism acheived through self-relization and union with Brahman, the supreme reality, leading to eternal peace and freedom from earthly suffering.

Radiocarbon-dating

A scientific method used to determine the age of once-living materials by measuring the decay of carbon-14.

Shaman

A spiritual leader in animistic or indigenous cultures who communicates with spirits, heals, and guides their community through rituals.

The Torah

The sacred text of Judaism, consisting of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

The Vedas

The oldest sacred texts of Hinduism consisting of hymns, rituals, and philosophies composed around 1500-1200 BCE.