Search for Free 150,000+ Essays

Find more results for this search now!
CLICK the BUTTON to the RIGHT!

Need a Brand New Custom Essay Now?  click here

The Word History

Uploaded by joeydaprof on Jun 12, 2006

Ancient History Study Notes!!!

Our word history comes from the Greek word historia, which means learning by inquiry.

There are many branches of inquiry that help us understand what happened in the past and, most importantly, how and why it happened.

One of these is archaeology. Archaeology also comes from a Greek word meaning the discussion of ancient things.

Archaeology is a study of humanity’s past by means of the physical objects that people have left behind (artefacts).

An artefact is any object that has been made or constructed by humans. (E.g. remains of building, tombs, jewellery, pottery, weapons and household objects).

A source is anything that has survived from the past. It can be written or archaeological.

A source is not the same as evidence; the source is the raw material that the historians use to ask questions of the past.

Evidence is the information that tends to prove or disprove a conclusion.

A source doesn’t become evidence until it is used.

Another way to describe sources, apart from written and archaeological, is to classify them as either primary or secondary.

A primary source comes from the same time as the person or event being studied.

A secondary source is something written about or copied from the past by people living in another time- for e.g. a secondary school textbook.

Questions to ask about an archaeological source:
1. What type of archaeological source is it?
2. Can it be accurately dated?
3. Is it a primary source from the time being studied?
4. In what specific context was it found?
5. Is it in its original location? If not, why not?
6. What condition is it in?
7. If it is a photograph or line drawing of a building or object, is it an accurate depiction?
8. What evidence does this source provide about the period being studied?

Archaeological sources can be both physical and written.

Ancient written sources can be classified as Literary sources, Epigraphic sources and Numismatic.

Literary sources- include the writings of people in the ancient world such as historians, biographers and poets.

Epigraphic sources- are those that are inscribed on clay, metal, stone or papyrus. They may even include graffiti.

Numismatic evidence is provided by coins that contain images of key figures, religious symbols, legends, special events and sometimes even date.

Many artefacts can be dated by historical, archaeological or scientific methods.

Questions that need to be...

Sign In Now to Read Entire Essay

Not a Member?   Create Your FREE Account »

Comments / Reviews

read full essay >>

Already a Member?   Login Now >

This essay and THOUSANDS of
other essays are FREE at eCheat.

Uploaded by:   joeydaprof

Date:   06/12/2006

Category:   History

Length:   11 pages (2,529 words)

Views:   4015

Report this Essay Save Essay
Professionally written essays on this topic:

The Word History

View more professionally written essays on this topic »