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360 History

History

History is a record of what happened in the

past. It is all about people – how they lived and

worked, where they travelled, why they went

to war, and what they thought and believed.

WHY DO PEOPLE STUDY HISTORY?

Historians work like detectives. In fact, the word history comes

from the ancient Greek for “learning by enquiry”. They gather

. EVIDENCE, search for lost treasures, and report their finds.
Their studies can explain why things happen, and how change occurs.

HOW IS HISTORY USED?

History helps us to understand our own times, and to

plan for the future. Learning about the past shapes

our sense of who we are, and a knowledge of past

injustices often inspires people to fight for change.

1 ETRUSCAN WALL PAINTING, ITALY

The dancers in this Etruscan fresco (wall painting) look just as lively

as when they were first painted, almost 2,500 years ago. To us,

pictures such as this are like windows into the past.

DEATH MASK, GREECE 3

This mask was found in the

1870s CE, in a grave at Mycenae. It was

discovered by the German archaeologist

Heinrich Schliemann, who originally claimed

that it belonged to Agamemnon, a Mycenaean

king described in the poems of Homer. Experts

first thought that it was from 1200 BCE, but modern

dating techniques suggest that it is older.

Detailed

metal-working

shows beard

Death mask of

gold, to place over

dead man’s face

DO HISTORIANS AGREE WITH ONE ANOTHER?

Historians frequently have different opinions about

the past, and some may also be influenced by their

own religious or political views. In their studies,

historians use new evidence and ideas to challenge

existing theories about historical periods and events.

EVIDENCE

Anything that survives from the past can be used as evidence

of what happened long ago. Some evidence comes from written

documents such as letters, diaries, or government records. Other

forms of evidence are still standing – such as old buildings,

statues, or grand monuments – while much of it lies hidden

in the ground, yet to be discovered.

4 MAGNA CARTA, ENGLAND

This great document records an

agreement made in 1215 CE

between King John and a group

of nobles. It sets out the laws and

customs the king had to respect

in dealing with his subjects. It

still influences English law today.

HOW DO HISTORIANS STUDY EVIDENCE?

Historians study many different forms of evidence,

preserved in libraries, archives, and museums. Often,

they have to learn dead languages so that they can

read and understand ancient documents. They also

rely on the techniques of other subjects, such as

. ARCHAEOLOGY and. ANTHROPOLOGY.