Learn Key Vocabulary Name _________________________________________________

Mysteries of the Ancient Past: Key Vocabulary

A. Study each word. Circle a number to rate how well you know it.
Then complete the chart.

1 2 3
Rating I have never I am not sure I know this word and can  n artifact found underground
s A
Scale seen this word of the word’s teach the word’s meaning or in the ocean gives us a clue
before. meaning. to someone else. about the past.

Key Words Check Understanding Deepen Understanding

1 ancient very old

I would expect an ancient piece of pottery to be _____
(ānt-shunt) adjective _______________________________________________________

very popular _____________________________________________________

Rating: 1 2 3 _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________ .

2 archaeologist  doctor who treats

a
An archaeologist would be excited to find ____________
(ar-kē-ah-lu-jist) noun children _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Rating: 1 2 3  person who studies
a _____________________________________________________
things from ancient
cultures ____________________________________________________ .

3 artifact  product made

a
Years from now, an artifact that scientists will use to
(ar-ti-fakt) noun yesterday learn about our time might be ________________________
_____________________________________________________
Rating: 1 2 3  omething that people
s _____________________________________________________
made or used long ago
____________________________________________________ .

4 bury to put in the ground

A person might bury treasure because _________________
(bair-ē) verb and cover with dirt __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Rating: 1 2 3 a kind of fruit _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________ .

© National Geographic Learning, a part of Cengage Learning, Inc. Unit 5 The Drive to Discover 163
 Key Vocabulary, continued Name _________________________________________________

An
archaeologist
tries to learn
about ancient
civilizations.

s
Key Words Check Understanding Deepen Understanding

5 civilization  culture or society

a
A good place to learn about an ancient civilization is ____
(si-vu-lu-zā-shun) noun from a certain place _____________________________________________________
and time _____________________________________________________
Rating: 1 2 3 _____________________________________________________
 group that builds
a
bridges ____________________________________________________ .

6 clue  sickness like a cold

a
A clue can be helpful when ___________________________
(klü) noun or the flu _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Rating: 1 2 3  omething that helps
s _____________________________________________________
you solve a problem
____________________________________________________ .

7 pyramid  building with a

a
The pyramids are amazing because ____________________
(pear-u-mid) noun square base and four _____________________________________________________
triangular sides _____________________________________________________
Rating: 1 2 3 _____________________________________________________
 large animal found
a
in Africa ____________________________________________________ .

8 tomb a library
Some things that I would expect to find in an ancient
(tüm) noun Egyptian tomb are ____________________________________

a grave _____________________________________________________
Rating: 1 2 3 _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________ .

B. Use one of the Key Vocabulary words. Write about why you think it would
be interesting to study the past.

164 Unit 5 The Drive to Discover © National Geographic Learning, a part of Cengage Learning, Inc.