history sources archaeology primary & secondary sources

A Question I meant to ask at the beginning of the year:

If any student is offended by photos of videos of people who have died

since the photo or video was taken or are offended by viewing images of skeletal remains please see me after

class.

I need to know this so I can take care not to offend anyone in this class

The work ‘history’ comes from the ancient Greek word historia, which means ‘investigation’. Understanding that history is an ongoing investigation (or inquiry) is the key to this subject.

History is about thinking, understanding and developing research and other skills that are useful in life.

History is investigation

Historians use all the tools of science,

maths, literature, economics, geography

and more to help solve the riddles of the

past.

In this way historians are like time

detectives.

Historians use an inquiry approach when they investigate controversies and mysteries of the ancient past.

They:• Conduct research to gather evidence from a range of

sources• Evaluate the usefulness of the sources and analyse the

evidence they gather from them

In many cases, when investigating the ancient past, some of the evidence is missing. For this reason, historians need to piece together the past from various types of sources – kind of like putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle that is missing some of its pieces.

History is investigation

Types of Sources or Evidence

Sources

Artefacts such as human remains,

pottery, weapons, tools, coins and art

Writing including

inscriptions carved in stone, and writing on walls, papyrus, clay, wood and

paper

Oral histories past down from generations

or recorded in paintings, dances and

ceremonies

Images (photographs and film from recent history

Types of Artefacts

Types of ArtefactsArt

Archaeologists think early rock art may have been a ‘magical’ ritual to ensure success in an

important activity, such as a hunt

Types of ArtefactsArt

Types of Artefact Sources

Types of Writing Sources

Types of Oral Sources

North American Indians oral traditions

Types of Image Sources

ArchaeologyArchaeology is the study of the remains of the past.

Archaeologists locate and uncover sources of evidence of past peoples. This can include:• skeletal remains• the ruins of buildings and tombs• artefacts they made such as pottery, weapons, tools

and coins• Inscriptions and stone carvings• Rubbish dumps (middens)

Some archaeologists even work underwater to

find sources on the sea bed such as ancient

shipwrecks

Excavating Archaeological sites

Most sources found on land are buried. They

might be covered by soil from floods or by

sand blown by the wind or overgrown by dense

jungle. Some lie beneath other buildings built

over time on the site.

Archaeologists work to locate and excavate

artefacts and other sources of evidence.

Once archaeologists have located an historical site they thing may provide important artefacts and information about the past, it is roped off from the public. These sites are referred to as archaeological digs.

When excavating an archaeological dig great care is

taken to remove the overlying rocks and dirt,

sometimes even using teaspoons and small brushes.

Once an artefact is fully exposed and excavated, the

archaeologist photographs and numbers it and records

details of its description and the exact location where it

was found.

Oinochoe Wine jug ShabtiCalyx Krater Terracotta Army

Primary & Secondary Sources

*Primary Sources are the most reliable

*

• Inscriptions (Writing carved in stone)

Ancient Greek law inscribed in stone

War Diary