Unit 1: Early People And Civilizations Flashcards
(22 cards)
relative location
A location of a place in relation to another place (i.e. south or downhill).
absolute location
A point on the earth’s surface expressed by a coordinate system such as latitude and longitude.
legend
Explains what the symbols on a map represent (i.e. triangles representing trees).
scale
Indicates the relative distance on the map to the real world (i.e. one inch is equal to one mile).
compass rose
A model of a compass which indicates the cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west).
hunter-gatherer
A member of a nomadic group whose food supply depends on hunting animals and collecting plant foods.
culture
A people’s unique way of life, as shown by its tools, customs, arts, and ideas.
nomad
A member of a group that has no permanent home, wandering from place to place in search of food and water.
subsistence farming
Self-sufficiency farming in which the farmers focus on growing enough food to feed themselves and their families.
Neolithic Revolution
The major change in human life caused by the beginnings of farming - that is, by people’s shift from food gathering to food producing.
civilization
A form of culture characterized by cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, record keeping, and advanced technology.
cuneiform
A system of writing with wedge-shaped symbols, invented by the Sumerians around 3000 B.C..
hierarchy
A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
egalitarian
The principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.
barter
A form of trade in which people exchange goods and services without the use of money.
irrigation
The artificial application of water to the land or soil, used to assist in growing crops.
cultural diffusion
The spreading of ideas or products from one culture to another.
polytheism
A belief in many gods.
theocracy
A government in which the ruler is viewed as a divine (godly) figure.
feudalism
A political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to their king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of people who live on the land.
dynasty
A series of rulers from a single family.
hieroglyphics
An ancient Egyptian writing system in which pictures were used to represent ideas and sounds.
