Many different sources are used when studying the past. People use many sources so they can learn lots of information and make sure it is accurate. Sources people use are either a primary source or a secondary source. Primary sources are THE BEST but you can learn from each. Let's read about them.
PRIMARY sources were written or created during the time period being studied. They are first hand accounts or artifacts. For example, an ancient Egyptian mummy is a primary source. Primary sources come directly from the event or were made while the event was happening. Examples might be diaries, eyewitness accounts, interviews, autobiographies, etc. Primary sources can also be objects; like art, music, written documents, clothes, or tools that were made during the time period you are studying. These are the "real deal" so to speak, like items in a museum. Today, not very many people keep a written diary or journal about their life. However, they post info, pictures, or videos on their Instagram, SnapChat, Facebook, Tiktok, or Twitter. These are primary sources for people living today just like someone writing a diary 100 years ago.
Secondary sources are written or created after the event took place. They still inform or tell you about an event or time period but were not actually made during the event or time period. Examples of secondary sources would be textbooks, websites, dictionaries, biographies, and encyclopedias. A textbook might describe how mummies were made in ancient Egypt. It gives great information but wasn't written by people actually making mummies. Another example could be a website about the sinking of the Titanic. All of the info could be true, but the website wasn't made when the Titanic was sailing. These can still give you a lot of facts. Since we are studying ancient history the sources we will use are secondary sources because I do not have any real ancient artifacts. We will read on this website and watch lots of YouTube videos about ancient history.
Questions to ask if a source is PRIMARY....
Was the person who made the source at the event
Was the source or object created during the event
Is it a first hand account from someone who witnessed the event