What is history?

Why do we study history?

History – the study of the past, particularly in human affairs.

Reasons for studying history…1.2.3.4.

• How do historians know about the past??

•No written records exist from the prehistory of humankind.

• Prehistory – the period before writing was developed.

• Archaeology and Anthropology help us understand early humans.– Archaeology - the study of past societies through an

analysis of what people left behind.– Anthropology – the study of human life and culture.

• Archaeologists and Anthropologists examine artifacts and fossils to see how early humans lived.– Artifact – tools, pottery, buildings, paintings, and

weapons of early people.– Fossil – remains of humans.• One of their most important jobs is dating their finds.• Radiocarbon, Microscopic, Biological (DNA)