History is the story

of the pastIt is the story of people, places and events

How can Historians find out about the

past?

Historians are like detectives who gather information or evidence to put together the story of the past.

They gather evidence from different sources e.g. archaeological digs, manuscripts or search the internet

Task

Draw an object or bring one into class, that represents something from the past that is important to you.

Explain what exactly this object represents about your past.

Objects from the pastare called Artefacts

Activity

In pairs choose an artefact

Study it together and complete the questions

1) Identify or describe the object you have chosen?

2) How old do you think it is?

3) What do you think it was used for?

4) What does this object tell you about life in the past?

5) Do you think the object comes directly from the past or is a replica of the time?

Is your object a Primary of Secondary source?

Sources which come directly from the past, giving first-hand information are known as Primary Sources.

Secondary sources are evidence that comes from a later date. They are written after the event.

Sources

Primary Secondary

Primary Sources

Give examples of primary sources under each heading

Written

Visual Oral Artefact

Written Visual Oral ArtefactsDiariesLettersCensusGovernment ReportsAutobiographyNewspapersmanuscript

PaintingsPhotos

InterviewsSpeeches

ToolsBonesJewellery

Secondary Sources

Secondary sources are evidence that comes from a later date. They are written after the event.

A textbook is a secondary source as it was written long after most of the events that it describes

Can you think of other examples of secondary sourcesBiographyMoviesTV or radio documentaryInternet History books

( Many secondary sources are put together using many different primary

sources)

Which of the following are Primary or Secondary sources?

a) The Censusb) The Irish Timesc) The Mona Lisad) History text booke) The GPO

Where do we find sources?

Libraries Archives Museums

Historians will use as many sources as possible and then compare what they have found. Why?

This is to make sure that the story of the past is as accurate as possible.

This is called cross-checking

How do historians judge the

reliability of sources?

Historians judge whether the source is:a) Biasb) Accuratec) Prejudiced) Exaggeratede) Propagandaf) Fact or opinion

Explain the meaning of each of these.

a) Bias – This means that the writer may have a strong , personal opinion about an event and tries to show that their opinion is right.

b) Accurate – this means correct or exact.

c) Prejudice – is where writers have made up their minds in advance and present only their own point of view

d) Exaggerates –this is when a writer makes something seem greater than it really is.

e) Propaganda – is where writers are trying to win the reader over to their point of view using posters, radio, tv and speeches

How do Historians put events in order?

When historians find out information about the past, it is important to get events in the right order.They usually use dates.This makes it easier for people to follow the story of what happened.This is called chronological order.

There are a number of ways historians measure time to describe past events.

Explain the following:

1) A.D.2) B.C.3) Decade4) Century5) Periods or Ages6) Millennium

Task:

Create a timeline of your life using images and dates

Put these dates into the correct chronological order

a) 315 ADb) 44 ADc) 1871 ADd) 1779 ADe) 3 AD

Work out the centuries for the following dates

a) 1066 ADb) 1215 ADc) 210 ADd) 1485 ADe) 1745 AD

f) 899 ADg) 902 ADh) 55 AD

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