This document discusses how historians reconstruct history using sources and ensure the reliability of sources. It defines primary and secondary sources and gives examples. Historians use the three C's test of credibility, consistency, and corroboration to evaluate sources. The language of time in history includes terms like BCE, CE, centuries, periods, and dynasties. The study of history is dynamic as views of the past can change constantly when new evidence is discovered.

1. Reconstructing History

2. Learning Objectives How do we find out about the past? What are sources? How do historians ensure that their sources are reliable? How is time measured in the study of History? Why is the study of History dynamic?

3. What kinds of questions did you have when you saw the photograph above? How do we find answers to our questions?

4. What Are Sources?  Sources are collections of evidence or proof.  Historians study various sources to help them reconstruct or put together an accurate picture of the past.  Sources can be divided into two groups.

5.  Primary sources are information provided by people who were involved in historical events or who witnessed the events.  Secondary sources are the records of people who did not participate directly in or witness the events they described . These records are the study and investigation of primary sources.

6.  Sources can be further divided into four groups: Written evidence — official records, newspapers, personal letters, folk stories, messages carved in stone Pictorial evidence — paintings, posters, photographs, maps

7. Oral evidence — spoken words of eyewitnesses, usually recorded on tape and put in writing Artefacts — items used by people of the past, e.g. tools and jewellery A war survivor showing television crew his torture wounds Students participating in a archaelogical dig at Fort Tanjong Katong

8. RECAP!! What is the difference between primary and secondary sources? Give some examples of primary and secondary sources.

9. Reliability of Sources  Question: How do historians make sure that their sources can be trusted to be true and not biased ?  Three 3Cs test -Credibility -Consistency -Corroboration

10.  Fact — information that is true Opinion — what a person believes to be true, which others may not agree with  Propaganda — ideas and news meant to influence the way people think and behave  Even if the evidence is not a fact, historians can make use of them to show how people in the past thought

11. The Language of Time B efore C ommon E ra C ommon E ra Periods – different blocks of time Dynasties – i. line of rulers who belong to the same family Century – 100 years Mauryan period (c. 323–185 BCE) Golden Age (c. 320–550 CE) Circa – c., ‘around’ – ii. refers to the years when a region is continuously ruled by members of the same family 5th century CE 4th century BCE 3rd century BCE 2nd century BCE 1st century CE 2nd century CE 3rd century CE 4th century CE 1st century BCE

12. Learning Outcomes Historians reconstruct the past by using… Sources are… Historians ensure that their sources are reliable by…

13. Learning Outcomes The terms we use to refer to time in the study of History are… Our views of the past can change constantly when…