Instructions
Read the information below about history and answer the questions that follow. Use complete sentences where necessary!
What is History?
History is the study of the past. There are different types of history, such as military history, about wars, and social history, about the way people lived. We can learn about the past from evidence, such as objects, writings, and other sources of information.
Evidence from the Past
Filmmaking and photographs can be used as historical evidence. They show us what people wore, where they lived, and what they did in their spare time.
Archaeology
Archaeology is the study of history by looking at, or by digging up, historical sites to find remains left behind by people in the past. People who dig up and study these remains are called archaeologists.
Museums
Museums are places that store objects used by people from the past. Curators are the people who choose the items to display in museums. They research these objects and write about them to help visitors understand how they were used.
Documents
Historians use written documents, such as ancient books and diaries, to find out about life in earlier times. Writing is important to the study of history that the period before it was invented is called prehistory (before history).
Art
Art, such as paintings, drawings, and sculptures, can show us lots of things about history. A painting might show us what the houses, landscape, or clothing of the time looked like.
Houses and Buildings
Old houses and their designs are quite different from houses built today. They give us a good idea of what life was like before modern technology, when everything had to be made by hand.
People's Memories
Memories are some of the best sources for the history of more recent events. Oral historians study history by talking to people and writing down what they say.
Questions
1. What is history?
2. Name two types of history mentioned in the text.
3. What do archaeologists study?
4. Why are museums important for learning about history?
5. How does art help us understand history?
6. What can old houses tell us about the past?
7. Why are memories important for recent events in history?