The Ancient Americas

History

A building material made from earth and organic materials

Adobe

A building material made from earth and organic materials. Adobe. Historically, adobe has been used for thousands of years to construct homes and structures due to its durability and insulation properties.

A period of great cultural achievement for a civilization

Classic Period

A period of great cultural achievement for a civilization. Classic Period. The Classic Period is a time in history when civilizations like the Greeks or Maya reached high levels of cultural and intellectual development.

An agricultural technique for the non-irrigated cultivation of crops

Dry farming

An agricultural technique for the non-irrigated cultivation of crops. Dry farming. Historically, dry farming allowed people to grow crops in regions with little rainfall by relying on soil moisture conservation techniques.

Element of writing in an agreed set of symbols

Glyph

Element of writing in an agreed set of symbols. Glyph. A glyph is a symbol used in ancient writing systems to represent words or sounds.

A room used by Puebloans for rites and political meetings

Kiva

A room used by Puebloans for rites and political meetings. Kiva. Kivas are round, often underground, structures used by Native American Puebloans for religious ceremonies and community gatherings.

A wider land connection between otherwise separate areas

Land bridge

A wider land connection between otherwise separate areas. Land bridge. In History, a land bridge is a natural connection between two landmasses that allowed early humans and animals to migrate across continents.

A cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico

Maize

A cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico, maize. Maize is a staple crop that played a crucial role in the development of civilizations in the Americas.

A large house in the ground used for shelter

Pit house

A large house in the ground used for shelter. Pit house. A pit house is an ancient type of dwelling where part of it is dug into the ground for insulation and protection.

Communities of Native Americans in the Southwestern US

Pueblo

Communities of Native Americans in the Southwestern US. Pueblo. A pueblo is a type of settlement used by Native Americans, consisting of stone or adobe houses.

The offering of food, objects or the lives of animals or humans to divine beings

Sacrifice

The offering of food, objects, or the lives of animals or humans to divine beings. Sacrifice is when people in the past gave up something valuable, like animals or crops, to please their gods or spirits.

A method of creating a field by cutting and burning of plants in a forest or woodland

Slash and burn

A method of creating a field by cutting and burning of plants in a forest or woodland, slash and burn. In History, slash and burn is an ancient farming technique used to clear land for agriculture by cutting and burning vegetation.

A stone or wooden slab erected in the ancient world as a monument

Stela

A stone or wooden slab erected in the ancient world as a monument. Stela. In history, a stela is a carved or inscribed slab used to commemorate important events or figures.

The bright explosion of a dying supergiant star

Supernova

The bright explosion of a dying supergiant star. Supernova. In history, supernovae have been recorded as spectacular astronomical events that temporarily outshone entire galaxies in the night sky.

Explanation of observations supported by evidence

Theory

Explanation of observations supported by evidence. Theory. In history, a theory is an idea that explains past events based on evidence and research.

The zone of warm climate that extends 23º north and south of the equator

Tropical zone

The zone of warm climate that extends 23 north and south of the equator is called the tropical zone. In history, civilizations in the tropical zone developed unique cultures and agriculture due to the warm, consistent climate.