South African History Online

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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