Geography

and History

Chapter 1,

Section 1

Objectives

Vocabulary

history: n. written and other

recorded events of people

prehistory: n. time before writing

was invented

archeologist: n. a scientist who

examines objects to learn

about the human past

oral traditions: n. stories

passed down by word of mouth

geography: n. the study of

Earth's surface and the processes that shape it

Two hikers found a man on a

mountain pass in the Alps on the

Italian-Austrian border.

Scientists call him the Iceman.

He was taken to a laboratory

for scientists to study.

Scientists guessed that the Iceman

lived 5000 years ago in 3000 BC.

Scientists believe he came

from a society skilled in sewing

because of his finely stitched

animal skins.

The most important clue about

the Iceman is his axe.

His axe left no doubt that he lived

after people had learned to use

copper.

Copper was the first metal used

by Europeans.

The story of the Iceman helps us

understand our past.

Understanding History

The scientists curiosity about the

Iceman’s life was natural.

As humans we are curious about

our backgrounds.

People in Africa and southwest Asia began to keep written records of their lives about 5,000 years ago, after developing systems of writing.

This was the beginning of history and the time before writing is called prehistory.

Before and After Writing

Prehistory: Digging Up the

Past

Scientists rely on clues to learn

about life in prehistoric times.

Archeologists sift through camps

to find bones, tools, and other

objects.

Large spear points tell

archeologists that they hunted

bears.

Small spear points were for

birds and small animals.

History: A Record in Writing

Historians use information from

archeologists as well as written

records of human life and

accomplishments to understand a

society; their wars, religions, and

rulers.

They also use information provided

by other groups about that society.

A Record of the Spoken Word

The written records that were

studied by historians were often

started as oral traditions.

Oral traditions are stories passed

down by word of mouth.

Families sometimes include oral

traditions of their grandparent’s

history.

They also tell stories about events

and/or heroes from the past.

Oral story telling is a good

way to learn about a

society even though it may

not be completely true and

the story might change

over the years.

Reading Check page 8

Why are historians

interested in oral traditions?

Oral traditions can

provide information about

a society's way of life.

Linking

Geography and History

Geography is the story of Earth’s

surface and the processes that

shape it.

When historians need to know

when events took place, they

often turn to geography.

Geography also includes features,

climate, landscape, and location.

Knowing the connection between

geography and history is often the

key to understanding why events

happened.

The weather patterns, the water

supply, and the landscape of a

place all affect the lives of the

people who live there.

The Egyptian civilization was built

on the banks of the Nile River.

They had good farming because

the Nile flooded.

Some people were farmers and

other people did other jobs.

Reading Check page 9

Give one example of geography's

effect on history.

The rich soil of the Nile River

allowed Egyptians to build a

great civilization.

Section 1 Assessment

1. (a) What do scientist study to learn

about prehistory?

They study the remains of, and

objects that belonged to ancient

people.

(b) What do we know about

societies that leave behind written

records?

We know about their history,

including their wars, religion,

and rulers.

(c) Analyze the clothes you wear and the

things you carry to school.

What do they say about your life?

These items tell about students'

interests, the kinds of things that they

do during the day, and even the

climate in which they live.

How does your story compare to the

iceman's story?

The Iceman's clothing would reveal

similar information about his life.

2. (a) Name some examples of

familiar geographic features.

Climate- weather patterns

Landscape- mountains, water

supply

Location

(b) How can geography help us to

understand history?

Studying geography can

help clarify why historical

events happened the way

they did.

(c) What effect has geography had

on the way people in your

community live?

Limits where we can build

Conveniences - have to drive

everywhere

Activities - play sports, fish,

boating