Library Guides: Introduction to History: Timelines & Chronology

Source: Towfiqu barbhuiya (2021)

One of the most helpful things that historians can do to get a better understanding of the past is to organise events in the order that they happened. This is known as chronology. When thinking about chronology there are a few very important concepts you need to understand: the use of BCE and CE (also known as BC and AD), how centuries work and how to make a timeline. Read through the resources below to help you learn more about these concepts.

Common questions about dates (Khan Academy, n.d.)
This short article talks about some of the common date issues involved with studying history, such as how centuries work and what do we mean by BCE or CE.
Common Era (CE) and Before Common Era (BCE) (Time and Date, n.d.)
This article gives a brief explanation of CE and BCE and how to use them.
How to make a timeline (Do History, n.d.)
This website discusses some of the uses of a timeline, and provides step by step instructions on how to create your own timeline.
Chronology (History Skills, n.d.)
The very first step in grasping History is to understand chronology. ‘Chronology’ means the order in time in which events occurred. There are several rules that have been developed over time to achieve this and they are outlined below. The terms and concepts outlined here can be used in your own historical writing to improve your academic vocabulary. Read through this article for a breakdown of different chronology concepts in history, a list of the names and dates for different historical periods, and a quiz to test your knowledge.

Timelines of everything : from woolly mammoths to world wars by Sam Atkinson & Laura Buller
Publication Date: 2018
Explore an illustrated history of the world through over 140 timelines for kids. From dinosaurs and Vikings to the history of cinema and espionage, discover incredible world history in this lavish collection of timelines. Jam-packed with surprising facts and amazing details, such as the most bloodthirsty pirate of all time and the first crime to be solved by studying fingerprints, Timelines of Everything will take you on a whirlwind journey through an illustrated history of time, from the Big Bang to the modern world. More than 140 timelines give you all the general knowledge you need - and even some surprising trivia you don't! Must-know topics and alternative history are showcased with beautiful, detailed illustrations and straightforward, easy-to-read text. Whether you want to know key breakthroughs that set the Industrial Revolution in motion or defining moments in the history of fashion, you'll find it all here. With timelines on a diverse range of subjects, Timelines of Everything is the ultimate guide to history for kids.