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Why do historians and archaeologists use various sources to study about our past?
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Why do historians and archaeologists use various sources to study abou...
Archaeologists and historians are scholars who study things that were made and used in the past through the process of excavation. Manuscripts, inscriptions, tools, coins, monuments are the source of information used by these scholars to know about the past of the people. Once these sources are found, learning about the past becomes an adventure, and gradually history is reconstructed. That is why historians and archaeologists use various sources to study about our past.
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Why do historians and archaeologists use various sources to study abou...
Because the sources have some hints about our past. For ex. On the stone archaeologist find various drawing and they get some hints of early men.
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Why do historians and archaeologists use various sources to study abou...
Introduction:
Historians and archaeologists employ various sources to study the past as it allows them to gather comprehensive and accurate information about different aspects of ancient civilizations, events, and cultures. By using a wide range of sources, they can develop a more complete picture of the past and make informed interpretations and conclusions.

Primary Sources:
- Primary sources are firsthand accounts or artifacts that were created during the time period being studied.
- They provide direct evidence and insights into the thoughts, beliefs, actions, and experiences of people from the past.
- Examples of primary sources include letters, diaries, official documents, photographs, artworks, tools, weapons, and buildings.

Secondary Sources:
- Secondary sources are interpretations and analyses of primary sources made by historians and scholars.
- They provide a synthesis of primary sources and offer different perspectives and theories about historical events and developments.
- Examples of secondary sources include history books, scholarly articles, research papers, and documentaries.

Archaeological Sources:
- Archaeological sources involve the excavation and analysis of material remains left by past societies.
- Through the study of artifacts, structures, and ecofacts, archaeologists can reconstruct past cultures, economies, technologies, and lifestyles.
- By examining the physical evidence, archaeologists can uncover information that may not be available through written sources.

Oral and Written Accounts:
- Oral traditions and written accounts are valuable sources for understanding the past.
- Oral traditions, such as myths, legends, and folktales, provide insights into the beliefs, values, and practices of ancient societies.
- Written accounts, such as historical chronicles, religious texts, and legal documents, offer detailed information about events, individuals, and cultural practices.

Material Culture:
- Material culture refers to the physical objects and artifacts created and used by past societies.
- Objects like pottery, tools, clothing, and artwork provide tangible evidence of the daily lives, social structures, and artistic expressions of ancient civilizations.
- By studying material culture, historians and archaeologists can gain a deeper understanding of the technological advancements, economic systems, and artistic achievements of the past.

Comparison and Cross-referencing:
- By using various sources, historians and archaeologists can cross-reference and compare information to ensure accuracy and reliability.
- Different sources may provide complementary or conflicting information, allowing researchers to critically analyze and evaluate the available evidence.
- The use of multiple sources helps to paint a more comprehensive and nuanced picture of the past, reducing the potential biases and limitations of individual sources.

Conclusion:
By utilizing a variety of sources such as primary sources, secondary sources, archaeological findings, oral and written accounts, and material culture, historians and archaeologists can piece together a more complete understanding of our past. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a more accurate interpretation of historical events, societies, and cultures, ensuring that our knowledge of the past is as comprehensive and reliable as possible.
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History History is a chronological account of events as they took place in the past.➢ Why should we study History?We should study history as it tells us about our past.Archaeological SiteIt gives us an understanding of our ancient culture and lifestyle.It helps us to solve the problems of the present-day world.➢ Time Frames of HistoryHistorians use a chronological sequence for a better understanding. The birth of Jesus Christ has been taken as year zero.Any event before Christ is called Before Christ (BC) and any event after the birth of Jesus is called Anno Domini (AD).The timeline of history is divided into three stages: (i) Prehistory(ii) Protohistory(iii) HistoryQuestion 1:All dates before the birth of Christ are counted backwards and usually have the lettersa.ACb.ADc.BCd.BD➢ Where did People Live?People lived near river valleys. This was because rivers provided water for all purposes.Traces of life were found near Sulaiman and Kirtar hills in North West.Traces of life even existed along Ganga. Mahajanapadas like Magadha, Kashi, Vajji, etc., flourished 2500 years ago.The Himalayan mountain has acted as a natural barrier between India and Central Asia for ages.The places where rice was first grown are to the north of the Vindhyas.➢ How was the name India derived?Our country is called India and Bharat.Bharat was used by the people of North India in the Sanskrit composition Rigveda.The word Indus traces its roots from the river Indus which is called Sindhu in Sanskrit.➢ How do we know about the past?Archaeologists and historians study several sources to tell us about the past. There are two sources - archaeological and literary.Archaeology: The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of physical remains.Inscriptions: Inscriptions are writings on relatively hard surfaces such as stone or metal. In the past, when kings wanted their orders inscribed so that people could see, read and obey them, they used inscriptions for this purpose.InscriptionArchaeologists use sources like monuments, artefacts, inscription and coins.Handwritten or any other written record of the past is known as a literary source.Literary sources include two types of literature - religious literature and secular literature.Manuscripts are books that were written long ago by hand. These were written on palm leaves or on the specially prepared bark of a tree known as the birch, which grows in the Himalayas. These books dealt with all kinds of subjects: religious beliefs and practices, the lives of kings, medicine and science.ManuscriptQuestion 2:Where were the manuscripts written?a.On palm leafb.On peepal leafc.On banana leafd.On tulsi leaf➢ Who studied sources of History?There were two groups of people who studied history. One was called archaeologist and the other group was called historians.Archaeologists studied the remains of buildings made of stones, bricks, paintings and sculptures.The other group called historians were the people who studied the past and used information found in inscriptions, seals and scripts.Question 3:They study about the remains of buildings made of stone and brick, paintings and sculpture. They explore to find tools, weapons, ornaments, and coinsa.Archaeologistb.Historiansc.Information officersd.Geologist Related: Chapter Notes - What, Where, How and When??

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Why do historians and archaeologists use various sources to study about our past?
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