People as historical sources

Defining and using resources

Facts that are available as proof of events is called evidence. Historians need evidence in order to build up an accurate picture of the past, but because all the relevant evidence may not be available they can only establish part of the actual events.

  1. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

    • For example, roads, buildings, canals, bridges, etc.

    • SOURCES: Maps, the surrounding area

  2. WRITTEN EVIDENCE

    • SOURCES: Newspapers, magazines, books, public records, relevant documents in private collections, libraries, archives

  3. PICTORIAL/VISUAL EVIDENCE

    • Photographs, sketches, paintings, maps and films

    • SOURCES: Libraries, archives, museums

  4. ARTEFACTS

    • Any objects that relate to the area or people you are studying like flint arrowheads, a modern chair buried under a landfill, or a car

    • SOURCES: The environment, museums, family heirlooms

  5. ORAL EVIDENCE

    • Relates to recent memories and can be obtained through interviewing people. We must remember that the lives of ordinary people are often not written down

    • SOURCES: The community, interviews, sound recordings

  6. ARCHAELOGICAL EVIDENCE

    • Relates to artefacts found on archaelogical digs

    • SOURCES: Museums, private collections

  7. THE INTERNET

 

Related Pages:

Previous page:Drama and Simulation (role play) in history

 

References

How to conduct & present historical research

Oral history - an educational tool for educators and learners

Source: Unpublished material from 3 Provincial History Conferences, December 2002, supplied by Claire Dyer, SA History Project, National Dept. of Education.