Final answer:
Historians refer to aspects of the past that remained the same over time as historical continuity, which helps in understanding the historical context and its lasting value.
Step-by-step explanation:
When historians refer to aspects of the past that remained the same over time, they are discussing historical continuity. Continuities are traits or elements that have remained unchanged through a period in history, despite other changes occurring around them. While some things change, identifying historical continuity helps us understand the historical context, while also acknowledging its lasting value.
The study of these continuities is essential in comprehending how societies evolve and which aspects of human experience resist change. Such understandings allow us to evaluate relationships between past events and current conditions, shedding light on the human and physical characteristics that have shaped societies over time.