Introduction to History

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture 'Introduction to History' covering definitions, etymology, and the evolving inclusive nature of historical study.

History

The reconstructed version of the past for the present that helps us understand the experiences of people in the past.

Historia

A Greek word meaning "knowledge acquired through inquiry or investigation."

Historians

Individuals whose duty is to write about the lives of important individuals like monarchs, heroes, saints, and nobilities.

"No documents, no history"

The mantra of traditional historians which means that an event cannot be considered a historical fact unless a written document can prove it.

Archaeologists

Individuals who use artifacts from a bygone era to study ancient civilizations that were formerly ignored due to a lack of documents.

Linguists

Specialists who help in tracing historical evolutions and cultural influences by studying the changes a language has undergone.

Mohenjo-Daro

An archaeological site in the Indus Valley dating from $c. 7000$ to $c. 600\text{ BCE}$.

Palayok

A type of pottery in the Philippines that dates back to approximately $4200$ years ago.

Past (vs. History)

What happened; it occurred, cannot be changed, and cannot be affected.

History (Dynamics)

Something that is changing over time and is constantly being redefined by every generation with different interests.

Michael Collins

The Apollo $11$ American astronaut who stated that history is unique because it investigates how human life has changed over time.

5 R's Test in history

A criteria developed by historian Christine Counsell consisting of Remarkable, Resulting in change, Revealing, Remembered, and Resonant.

Remarkable

A component of the $5$ R's Test referring to an important and notable event or person.

Resonant

Also known as the "ripple" effect in the $5$ R's Test, it refers to the effect an event or person has on future generations.

Historical Sources (Non-Documentary)

Materials used by modern historians including epics, songs, artifacts, architecture, and memory.