SIX POINTS OF INQUIRIES TO EVALUATE THE AUTHENTICITY OF A PRIMARY

SOURCE

1. Date – When was it produced?

2. Localization – Where did it originate?
3. Authorship – Who wrote it?
4. Analysis – What pre-existing material served as the basis for its production
5. Integrity – What was its original form?
6. Credibility – What is the evidential value of its content

TECHNICAL TOOLS IN IDENTIFYING AND AUTHENTICATING HISTORICAL SOURCES

1. Paleography – study of handwriting, evolution of writing, ability to distinguish the

different traditions or writing styles; types of medium utilized; ability to spot fakes;
nuances in writing through different periods.
2. Diplomatics – used primarily for textual analysis; writings styles maybe determined by
its specific time/period wherein there is a set of writing conventions and formulas.

3. Archaeology

4. Statistics

5. Additional Technical Tools

SEVEN FACTORS TO EVALUATE IN TERMS OF INTERNAL CRITERIA ON HISTORICAL

SOURCES

1. The genealogy of the document – refers to the development of the document. The
document may be original, a copy, or a copy of the copy;
2. The genesis of the document – includes the situations and the authorities during the
document’s production;
3. The originality of the document – includes the nature of the document whether it is an
eye / ear witness account or merely passing of existing information;
4. The interpretation of the document – pertains to deducing meaning from the document;
5. The authorial authority of the document – refers to the relationship between the
document’s subject matter and its author.
6. The competence of the observer – refers to the author’s capabilities and qualifications to
critically comprehend and report information; and
7. The trustworthiness of the observer – refers to the author’s integrity – whether he or
she fabricates or reports truthfully.