7FC Definitions - History

A piece of information or object that comes from the time you are studying. It was created or used by someone who was there. Example: a diary, a photo, a coin, or a letter from the time.

Information about the past that was created after the time you are studying. It uses primary sources to explain or tell the story. Example: a history book, a website, or a documentary made later.

The study of the past. It helps us understand how people lived, what they believed, and how their actions have shaped the world we live in today.

The study of the past through things that people have left behind, like tools, buildings, bones, and other artefacts. Archaeologists carefully dig up and examine these items to learn more about how people lived long ago.

The time before people wrote things down. We learn about this time through things like cave paintings, tools, and bones. Because there are no written records, historians rely on archaeology to understand how people lived.

The time after writing was invented, when people started recording events, stories, and laws. It includes ancient civilisations like Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and Mesopotamia.

On a timeline shows how much time each section or space represents. It helps us read and understand the order and timing of events. Example: On a timeline where each space stands for 10 years, an event marked three spaces after 1900 would be in the year 1930.

Stands for the Latin word circa, which means 'around' or 'about.' We use it when we don’t know the exact date something happened. Example: c. 300 BCE means around the year 300 BCE.

Stands for Before Common Era. It means the years before year 1. It is used in the same way as BC (Before Christ), but without a religious meaning. Example: The pyramids of Egypt were built in c. 2600 BCE.

Stands for Common Era. It starts from year 1 and includes the years we are living in now. It is used the same way as AD (Anno Domini), but without a religious meaning. Example: The year 2025 is written as 2025 CE.