Sources of

History
What are “sources” of History?

Our ancestors have left behind many

things. They serve as evidence to
know the past.

Can you think of a few things that can

tell us about the past?
Types of Sources of history

There are three types.

1. Material Sources

2. Written Sources

3. Oral Sources
Material Sources
▪ Coins

▪ Ancient Objects

▪ Sculpture

▪ Pots

▪ Structures
 Old Coins

Many old coins made of gold, silver, copper

and other metals have been found in our
country.
Look at the coin carefully

Name four things that this coin tells

us.
 Monuments (Old buildings)

Old forts, tanks, temples, mosques, churches, caves, etc.

are all historical monuments.

Is there a historical
monument in your
neighborhood?
 Artifacts
(Things buried underground)

Many things belonging to the past, like metal tools,

pottery, articles of daily use etc. have been found
buried under the ground. These artifacts tell us
about the past.
Written Sources

▪ Inscriptions

▪ Copper Plates

▪ Manuscripts

▪ Books
 Inscriptions (stone carvings)

Inscriptions are writings carved on stone or copper

plates. Sometimes orders from kings were inscribed
so that people could read and obey them. They were
also records of past events. For example, what
happened in a battle.
 Manuscripts

Manuscript are
Hand Written
Sources of Past
 Old books
(Manuscripts)
Old diaries, letters, newspapers, reports, government
files, biographies and old books tell us about the past.
Many travelers have also left their accounts.
 Oral Sources

▪ Traditional stories

▪ Songs remembered
 Questions to ask of a source

Who?
Where?

What?

When?

How?

Why?
Who?

Who made it?

Who used it?

Who is in the
picture?
What?

What is it?

What is it used for?

What does it

show?
When?

When was the book

written?

Which era does it

talk about?
 Who studies the past?

Those who study the past are called Archaeologists.

They study remains of old buildings, painting, sculpture,
utensils, coins and bones . Archaeologists are like detectives
who use these sources as clues to find out about the past.
Visit a museum to see some real historical
sources !