Ancient history

What sources do historians use to study the past?

Historians use a wide variety of sources to study the past, including:

* Written documents: These include primary sources, such as letters, diaries, and government records, as well as secondary sources, such as books and articles written by historians.

* Oral histories: These are interviews with people who have personal knowledge of past events.

* Archaeological evidence: This includes artifacts, such as tools, weapons, and pottery, as well as the remains of buildings and other structures.

* Visual evidence: This includes photographs, paintings, and other works of art, as well as maps and charts.

* Film and audio recordings: These can provide valuable insights into past events and cultures.

* Digital sources: These include websites, blogs, and social media, as well as digital archives of historical documents and other materials.

Historians use these sources to piece together the past and to create a more complete understanding of human history.