Ancient Civilization Vocabulary Words 08-09 as of #47
Word Definition
1. Artifact – human made objects for use by a civilization i.e. tools, weapons
2. Geography – the study of Earth and how we use it
3. Continents- one of seven large land masses
4. Landform- features on Earth’s surface like mountains or valleys
5. Climate - average weather over a long period of time
6. Cartographer - map maker / chart maker
7. Compass Rose - direction finder
8. Legend- key on a map tells us what the symbols mean
9. Longitude (Meridian) – lines that run up and down but measure how far places are E & W of
the Prime Meridian
10. Prime Meridian – 0o longitude line that divides Earth into E & W Hemispheres
11. Latitude (Parallel) - lines that run across a map and measure N & S of the Equator
12. Hemisphere- half of the earths surface N,S,E,W
13. Equator- 0 degree latitude line that divides earth into N and S hemisphere
14. Archaeologist – person who studies artifacts and fossils (thru digs)
15. Projection - how maps are shown differently
16. Atlas- book of Maps
17. Fossils- remains of early life preserved in the ground ie bones, teeth
18. Domesticate- to raise (plants, animals) for human use
19. Anthropologist- person who studies people and their culture
20. Ethnic- where your ancestors came from
21. Circa- means about or approximately
22. Artisan - skilled workers
23. Nomad - “wanderers”; Hunters and Gatherers
24. Culture - the way we live
25. Cuneiform - Mesopotamian writing
26. Ziggurats - Mesopotamian worship temple
27. Polytheism- belief in more than one god
28. civilization- highly organized human society
29. delta- build up of silt at the mouth of the river
30. economy- how we make and spend money
31. papyrus- plant used to make paper in Egypt
32. pharaoh- god-king leader of Ancient Egypt
33. hieroglyphics- Egyptian writing
34. obelisk Egyptian architectural statue
35. scribe – trained writer
36. scroll- long sheet of rolled paper
37. pictograph- a drawing that represents an idea or picture
38. dynasty- a line of rulers from the same family.
39. Anno Domini- A.D. latin word that represents all the years after the birth of Christ
40. Decade- a period of 10 years
41. century- a period of 100 years
42. millennium- a period of 1000 years
43. subcontinent – a large landmass smaller than a continent on a separate plate (tectonic)
44. monsoon- season wind that brings change in weather
45. peninsula- land surround on 3 sides by water.
46. plateau- elevated land with a flat top.
47. reincarnation- belief of rebirth in the Hindu religion
48. Confucius – teacher/philosopher of Ancient China
49. monarchy- government by one ruler
50. bureaucracy- way of governing thru departments
51. empire- bringing others under 1 rule
52. philosophy- study of ideas ie nature, world, etc.
53. isthmus – land bridge
54. tropical – warm and rainy land areas
55. democracy- gov’t by the people
56. amplitheater- circular, ½ stadium with rising seats
57. mythology- stories explaining about gods, human behavior, nature,
58. mosaic- decoration scenes using tiles, stones, and glass
59. maritime- having to do with the sea
60. republic- gov’t based on voting citizens