ACT Humanities - History and Archaeology

Here you will learn some English words related to history and archaeology, such as "alchemy", "relic", "epoch", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

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ACT Humanities

the period between the 14th and 16th centuries in Europe, marked by a rise of interest in Greek and Roman cultures, which is dominant in the art, philosophy, etc. of the times

Ex: The Renaissance saw the rediscovery of classical philosophy and learning from ancient Greece and Rome .

an ancient region located in the eastern Mediterranean, primarily within modern-day Iraq, and parts of Iran, Syria, and Turkey

Ex:

a small, flat piece of clay that has been molded and hardened, typically used as a medium for writing or inscribing information in ancient civilizations

Ex: The scribe carefully inscribed the contract onto a clay tablet , detailing the terms of the agreement .
scribe [noun]

a person who writes copies of documents by hand

Ex: Before the invention of the printing press , scribes played a crucial role in the dissemination of knowledge by copying books by hand .

to exist or occur at an earlier time than something else

Ex: Ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia predate those in the Americas .
ancestral [adjective]

related to or inherited from one's ancestors

Ex: He inherited his ancestral surname from his forefathers .
contemporary [adjective]

belonging to the current era

Ex: I enjoy movies and TV shows that reflect contemporary cultural experiences .
catacomb [noun]

an underground burial place with tunnels and chambers for tombs or graves

Ex: The catacombs were a labyrinth of narrow passages and burial chambers .

a system of writing used in ancient Egypt, consisting of pictorial symbols or characters that represent objects, ideas, or sounds, and were commonly used for inscriptions on temple walls, tombs, and other monumental structures

the study of family lineages and the history of descent

Ex: Genealogy websites and DNA tests have become popular tools for individuals interested in exploring their family history .

the historical period before the Middle Ages, especially before the sixth century when Greeks and Romans were the most prosperous

Ex: The art and architecture of antiquity , such as the Parthenon in Athens and the Colosseum in Rome , continue to inspire awe and admiration today .
epoch [noun]

a period of time in history or someone's life, during which significant events happen

Ex: The Industrial Revolution was an epoch that transformed economies and societies around the world .
ancient [adjective]

related or belonging to a period of history that is long gone

Ex: The artifacts displayed in the museum date back to ancient times .
monument [noun]

a place or building that is historically important

Ex: The Lincoln Memorial in Washington , D.C. , is a monument dedicated to the 16th President of the United States .
relic [noun]

an object or part of an object surviving from the past, typically with historical or emotional value, often linked to a person, event, or era

Ex: Some believe that the sword is a relic from King Arthur 's time .

to preserve a dead body by treating it with chemicals or natural substances to prevent decay

Ex:
pre-industrial [adjective]

relating to the period of time before the widespread adoption of industrial processes and technologies

Ex: Many pre-industrial civilizations developed sophisticated irrigation systems to support their agricultural needs .

the origin or source of a particular thing

Ex: The provenance of the antique sword was meticulously researched to establish its historical significance .

a person whose job is to study ancient societies using facts, objects, buildings, etc. remaining in excavation sites

a method used by scientists to determine the age of organic materials by measuring the amount of carbon-14 they contain

Ex: Radiocarbon dating confirmed the authenticity of the manuscript by dating the parchment it was written on .

a prehistoric period characterized by the development of the first stone tools, spanning from about 2.5 million years ago to around 10,000 years ago

Ex:
prehistoric [adjective]

relating or belonging to the time before history was recorded

Ex: The museum exhibit showcased prehistoric fossils of dinosaurs and other ancient creatures .

to uncover or expose by digging, especially to reveal buried artifacts, structures, or remains

Ex: Miners excavated a coal seam , removing layers of earth to extract the valuable resource .
artifact [noun]

a man-made object, tool, weapon, etc. that was created in the past and holds historical or cultural significance

Ex: Each artifact in the exhibit told a story about the civilization that created it .

a person who advocates or works to protect and maintain natural, historical, or cultural resources from decay, destruction, or neglect

Ex: Preservationists successfully lobbied for the conservation of the endangered species ' habitat .

a scientist who studies fossils and ancient life forms to understand the history of life on earth

Ex: She became fascinated with dinosaurs as a child and pursued a career as a paleontologist .

a specialist who studies and develops systems for secure communication and information protection

Ex: She pursued a career as a cryptographer to work on breaking codes and ciphers .

a scientist who studies ancient life forms, their evolution, behaviors, habitats, and interactions with the environment through the analysis of fossils and other remnants of past life

Ex: The paleobiologist 's research revealed new insights into the dietary preferences of extinct dinosaurs .

a scholar or researcher who specializes in the study of the Middle Ages

Ex: The medievalist 's latest book explores the religious beliefs and practices of medieval Europe .
alchemy [noun]

the ancient practice of trying to turn common metals into gold

Ex: In his quest for wealth , the medieval scientist dedicated years to the art of alchemy , hoping to produce gold .