Ancient Civilisations
What river was important to Ancient Egypt?
The Nile
What do we call the time before writing was invented?
Prehistory
What do archaeologists study?
The remains of the past
Who discovered America in 1492 (from Europe’s perspective)?
Christopher Columbus
What were castles mainly built for?
Protection/defence
What did the Egyptians build as tombs for pharaohs?
Pyramids
What do historians use to study the past?
Sources
What tool is often used for digging carefully?
A trowel
What country did Ferdinand Magellan sail for?
Spain
Who worked the land for the lords?
Peasants/serfs
Name 3 Roman Technological Advances
Concrete – They perfected strong, long-lasting concrete that allowed them to build massive structures like the Colosseum and aqueducts.
Aqueducts – Ingenious systems of channels, pipes, and bridges to carry fresh water into cities from far away.
Roads – The Romans built over 80,000 km of paved roads, so strong that some are still in use today.
Arches & Domes – They mastered the use of the arch (for bridges, aqueducts, and gateways) and the dome (like in the Pantheon).
Central Heating (Hypocaust system) – Heated floors and walls in villas and bathhouses using hot air from furnaces.
Sewage & Sanitation – They developed underground sewers like the Cloaca Maxima in Rome and built public baths.
Military Technology – Advanced weapons (like ballistae and catapults) and fortifications.
Calendars – Julius Caesar reformed the calendar, giving us the Julian calendar, very close to what we still use today.
What’s the difference between a primary and secondary source?
Primary = from the time; Secondary = after the event
What is the layer of soil called that shows different time periods?
Strata
What was the main reason explorers wanted to find sea routes?
Trade (spices, silk, gold)
What was a knight’s code of behaviour called?
Chivalry
What famous Roman building in Rome was used for gladiator fights and public games?
The Colosseum
What year is considered the start of the Middle Ages
AD 476 (fall of Rome)
What method do archaeologists use to date ancient objects using carbon?
Radiocarbon dating
Who was the first man to circumnavigate the globe?
Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition
What disease killed millions in Europe during the 14th century?
The Black Death
What large open-air arena did the Romans use for chariot races?
The Circus Maximus
What is the name of the system where kings gave land to lords in return for loyalty?
Feudalism
What do we call a man-made mound from the Stone Age in Ireland?
A passage tomb
What Portuguese explorer found the sea route to India?
Vasco da Gama
What was the large open area inside a castle called?
The courtyard/bailey