SS1C – 2 Sources of History

Sources of History Old maps that may

 Historical evidences are important proof reveal how space and
of the truthfulness of the past. geography were used
 These evidences become the sources of to emphasize trade
historical data. routes, structural
buildup, etc.
Classifications of Sources of History
 Primary Sources Murillo-Velarde Map of
 Secondary Sources the Philippines 1734

Primary Sources
 Provides direct or firsthand evidences Cartoons for
about an event, object, person or work political
of art. expression or
 These are the evidences by eyewitness propaganda.
or created by people who experienced
the said event or phenomena.
 The historian’s responsibility is to
organize the primary sources into
coherent account to become secondary
source.
Material
Examples: evidence of
Photographs prehistoric
that may reflect past like cave
social conditions drawings, old
of historical syllabaries,
realities and and ancient writings.
everyday life.
Statistical tables, graphs, and charts.

Old sketches
and drawings
that may
indicate the
conditions of life
of societies in
 Oral history or recordings by electronic
the past.
means of accounts of eyewitnesses or
participants; recordings are then
transcribed and used for research.

 Published and unpublished primary

documents, eyewitenss accounts, and
other written sources.

 Empirical studies- research where an

experiment was performed or a direct
observation was made.

MEOK 1
SS1C – 2 Sources of History
Secondary Sources
 Are interpretations of history they
describe, discuss, interpret,
comment upon, analyze, evaluate,
summarize, and process primary
sources.
 These are products of people or
writers who were not part of the
event or phenomena.
 Books, articles, and scholarly
journals that had interpreted primary
sources or had used them to discuss
certain subject of history.
Tertiary Sources
 Contains information that has been
compiled from primary and
secondary sources.
 Almanacs, dictionaries,
encyclopedias, directories,
guidebooks, indexes, abstracts,
manuals, and textbooks.
Types of Historical Sources
 Archival Materials
 Government Documents
 Serials
 Books
 Visual and Audio Materials
Archival Materials
 Business and personal
correspondence
 Diaries and journals
 Legal and financial documents
 Photographs, maps, architectural
drawings
 Computer Tapes
 Video and audio Cassettes
Government Documents
 Evidence of activities, function, and
policies.
 Hearing and debates of legislative
bodies.
 Official text of laws, regulations, and
treaties.
 Records of government expenditures
and finances.
 Statistical compilations of economic,
and scientific data.
MEOK
Serials
 Journals, magazines, and
newspapers that are published on
daily basis.
 Book reviews, editorials, and review
articles.
Books
Visual and Audio Materials
 Maps, photographs, prints, graphic
arts, original art forms.
 Films, videos, TV programs, and
digital recordings.
 Documentaries, feature films, TV
news broadcast, radio broadcast
recordings, and recorded music of
particular era.
HISTORICAL CRITICISM
 To check the authenticity of the sources
that are presented to be used in writing
history.
 Sources have to undergo doubting and
therefore should be critically tested for
validity.
Two Kinds:
 External Criticism
 Internal Criticism
External Criticism
 Covers the physical examinations of
sources like documents, manuscripts,
books, pamphlets, maps, inscriptions
and monuments.
 Consideration in doing validation:
authorship, date and place of
publication, textual errors, and meaning
of words used.
Authorship
2
SS1C – 2 Sources of History
 The name of the author of the
document provides credence in the
establishment of validity of a certain
document.
 The author’s name itself can provide
for the test of authenticity.
 In case of anonymous writings, the
office that holds the record should
also be taken into consideration.

Date and Place of Publication

 The date of the document including
the time and place of publication
should be properly analyzed in order
to establish its authenticity.
 The historian should look for dates
mentioned within the manuscript or
cross check with other records.

Textual Errors
 The style of writing of author can also be
used to authenticate the originality of the
document.
 If the style of writing does not match the
author’s style of writing then the
document is dubious.

Meanings of Words Used

 Historian have to interpret the words
used based on the time when the
document was made.
 Historian have to take consideration the
place and culture when the document
was made.
 Example: Code of Kalantiaw

Internal Criticism

 Historian should:
o Verify if the writer of the
document has a first hand
information or had experience the
phenomena he wrote and how
long was the time lapsed
between the occurrence of the
event and the time the document
was written.

MEOK 3