Investigating the Past/Themes of History Assessment

One way archaeologists learn about early humans is through

• cave art

• skeletons

• artifacts

• all of the above

Why do historians read diaries and letters from the past?

• to agree on plans for the future

• to compare their ideas of history

• to learn to speak an ancient language

• to find out what happened and why

What unique challenge does the study of prehistoric history present?

• written records that cannot be read

• conflicting views in ancient diaries

• lack of evidence from the period

• huge amounts of artifacts to analyze

Why are ancient handprints found on cave walls very small?

• The cave ceilings were very low.

• The prints were made by children.

• People long ago were not as big as people today.

• The smallest members of the group stayed home to paint.

Communities and civilizations began to emerge after humans discovered

• agriculture

• the wheel

• writing

• stone tools

A person who migrates and depends on the livestock they raise are called

• pastoral nomads

• hominins

• hunter-gatherers

• farmers

Social scientists are scholars who study

• animal behavior

• dinosaur skeletons

• human society

• astronomy

What was the greatest benefit to people when early farmers began to raise plants and animals?

• They kept pets for company.

• They could travel more easily.

• They shared most of the work.

• They had a stable food supply.

Which of these activities would an archaeologist most likely do?

• make maps

• examine objects

• read old newspapers

• study Earth's features

An object made or used by people in the past is called

• an artifact

• a document

• a ritual

• a theory