Life Science
A term that encompasses all scientific pursuits related to living organisms
Archaeology
The study of past human life as revealed by preserved relics
Artifacts
Objects made by people, such as tools, weapons, containers, etc.
Geology
The study of earth’s history as revealed in the rocks that make up the earth
Paleontology
The study of life’s history as revealed in the preserved remains of once-living organisms
Internal Test
Tests to see whether or not the document in question is internally consistent
External Test
Tests to see whether the document contradicts other known historical facts
Bibliographic Test
– Tests to see whether the document contains either direct eyewitness accounts or a second-hand report based on eyewitness accounts
Supporting Documents
Copies of a work made by different people
Radiometric Dating
Using a radioactive process to determine the age of an item
Absolute Age
The calculated age of an artifact from a specific dating method that is used to determine when the artifact was made
Known Age
The age of an artifact as determined by a date printed on it or a reference to the artifact in a work of history
Dendrochronology
The process of counting tree rings to determine the age of the tree
Relative Age
– The determination of whether an object is older or younger than another object of interest
Principle of Superposition
When artifacts are found in rock or earth that is layered, the deeper layers hold the older artifacts
Strata
Distinct layers in soil and/or rock
Name the three tests used to evaluate documents that claim to be historical.
The internal test - Confirming the document does not contradict itself
The external test - Confirming the document does not contradict known historical facts
The bibliographic test - Confirming the document has direct eyewitness accounts or second-hand reports based off of eyewitness accounts
