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Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.

PRE-CONTACT [2 records]

Filter results by subject field Alphabetical list of terms

Filter results by subject field

Alphabetical list of terms

Record 1 2026-05-28

English

Subject field(s)
  • History (General)
  • Archaeology
DEF

The period that predates the contact between Indigenous Peoples and Europeans.

OBS

prehistoric period: The adjective "prehistoric" is sometimes used interchangeably with "precontact." However, many authors consider that the use of the adjective "prehistoric" in certain contexts is problematic, as it may suggest that history begins only with European contact.

Key term(s)
  • prehistorical period

French

Domaine(s)
  • Histoire (Généralités)
  • Archéologie
DEF

Période précédant la prise de contact entre les Autochtones et les Européens.

OBS

période préhistorique : L'adjectif «préhistorique» est parfois considéré comme un synonyme de l'adjectif «précontact». Cependant, selon plusieurs auteurs, l'usage de l'adjectif «préhistorique» dans certains contextes est problématique, puisque cela peut laisser entendre que l'histoire ne commence qu'au moment du contact avec les Européens.

Key term(s)
  • période pré-contact

Spanish

Save record 1

Record 2 2026-05-28

English

Subject field(s)
  • History (General)
  • Archaeology
DEF

Having to do with the period that predates the contact between Indigenous Peoples and Europeans.

OBS

prehistoric: The adjective "prehistoric" is sometimes used interchangeably with "precontact." However, many authors consider that the use of the adjective "prehistoric" in certain contexts is problematic, as it may suggest that history begins only with European contact.

Key term(s)
  • prehistorical

French

Domaine(s)
  • Histoire (Généralités)
  • Archéologie
DEF

Se dit de la période qui précède toute prise de contact entre les Autochtones et les Européens.

OBS

préhistorique : L'adjectif «préhistorique» est parfois considéré comme un synonyme de l'adjectif «précontact». Cependant, selon plusieurs auteurs, l'usage de l'adjectif «préhistorique» dans certains contextes est problématique, puisque cela peut laisser entendre que l'histoire ne commence qu'au moment du contact avec les Européens.

Key term(s)
  • pré-contact

Spanish

Save record 2

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TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
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