Historical Terms and Definitions Quiz

Historical Terms and Definitions

• Century: A period of one hundred years.
• Millennium: A period of one thousand years.
• Decade: A period of ten years.
• Prehistory: The time before written records; the study of this era involves archaeology and artifacts.

Eras and Periods

• Neolithic Era: Also known as the New Stone Age, started around 10,000 years ago; marks the transition to a settled lifestyle for humans.
• Paleolithic Era: Known as the Old Stone Age, existed from approximately 3.3 million years ago to around 12,000 years ago.

Key Concepts in History

• Artifact: An object created by human beings, often studied in the field of archaeology.
• Archaeology: The discipline that examines human history and prehistory through the analysis of excavation sites and artifacts.
• Nomad: A person who does not have a permanent home and moves geographically, often in search of food and resources.

Time Designations

• BC (Before Christ): A term used to denote years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
• AD (Anno Domini): Latin for "year of the lord," used to label years after the birth of Christ.
• BCE (Before Common Era): A secular alternative to BC.
• CE (Common Era): A secular term for AD, denoting the same time period without religious connotations.

Geological and Paleontological Terms

• Fossil: The preserved remains or traces of a prehistoric organism, which can appear in various forms, including molds and casts.
• Flint: A type of hard gray rock used historically for tools and weapons.