Lesson
Historical vocabulary and terms
Text
This lesson introduces essential vocabulary for talking about history: events, periods, documents, and research terms. It's useful for reading historical reports, museum labels, corporate timelines, and academic texts.
Table
| Word | Part of speech | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| artifact | noun | An object made by humans, often of historical interest | The museum displayed Bronze Age artifacts. |
| era | noun | A long and distinct period of history | The Elizabethan era influenced English literature. |
| dynasty | noun | A sequence of rulers from the same family | The Ming dynasty ruled China for nearly three centuries. |
| archive | noun | A collection of historical documents or records | The corporate archive includes reports from the 1950s. |
| revolution | noun | A major, often rapid, change in political or social structures | The industrial revolution transformed production methods. |
| chronicle | noun / verb | A factual written account of important events in order; to record events | The journal chronicles the company's growth over decades. |
| chronology | noun | The arrangement of events in the order they happened | We created a chronology of key milestones for the project. |
Tip
Focus on precision and collocation when using history vocabulary:
Match the word to the type of historical evidence: object, document, time span, or written account.
Example
The museum opened a new exhibit featuring Bronze Age artifacts.
The company's history dates back to a small family workshop founded in 1922.
The research team searched the national archive for primary sources.
The author chronicles the political changes that shaped the 20th century.
Tip
Avoid these universal errors when learning historical vocabulary:
When in doubt, check the collocation (which words typically go together) and the context (academic, museum, business).
Quiz
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: The researcher consulted the university _____ to find primary documents.
Hint: Think about where original written documents are stored.
Correct!
An archive is a place where historical documents and records are kept; an artifact is a physical object.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: archive
An archive is a place where historical documents and records are kept; an artifact is a physical object.
Quiz
Complete: The exhibition displays rare _____ from ancient Egypt.
Hint: Think of objects found in archaeological sites.
Correct!
'Artifacts' refers to human-made objects of historical or archaeological interest.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: artifacts
'Artifacts' refers to human-made objects of historical or archaeological interest.
Quiz
Which word is closest in meaning to 'chronicle'?
Hint: Consider verbs related to writing or documenting events.
Correct!
'Chronicle' means to record or to write a factual account of events, usually in order.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: record
'Chronicle' means to record or to write a factual account of events, usually in order.
Vocabulary
The study or record of past events, especially human affairs.
Company history is often used in branding and investor reports.
Vocabulary
An object made by humans that is of archaeological or historical interest.
Archaeologists catalogued the artifacts found at the site.
Vocabulary
A collection of historical documents or records, or the place where they are kept.
The marketing team accessed the archive to find old campaign materials.
Vocabulary
A long and distinct period of history marked by particular events or characteristics.
The digital era has changed how companies communicate.
Vocabulary
A succession of rulers from the same family or line.
The dynasty maintained power for several generations.
Vocabulary
A fundamental change in political power or organizational structures, often rapid and significant.
The industrial revolution reshaped global trade and manufacturing.
Vocabulary
A factual written account of important or historical events in order; to record events in sequence.
The report chronicles the company's expansion over the past decade.