HISTOEY
rimary sources are the best way for historians to gain insight into people and events in the past. While historical actors may no longer be here to speak with us about what took place in the past, their voices and accounts are preserved in documents, images, and recordings from the time in which they lived. In this assignment, you will perform an in-depth analysis of a primary source.
- Select a document from a primary source database. Loc.gov is a good place to start your search.
- Download and review the appropriate analysis worksheet for the type of source you selected.
- Since the worksheet is not fillable, create a new document and respond to each of the questions on the worksheet. Your document does not need to follow the exact same format as the worksheet, but it must be clear that you considered all of the elements your worksheet asked that you consider.
- Within the body of your assignment, provide a clickable link to your chosen document. Your instructor must be able to view your chosen document.
- Submit your completed analysis to this Assignment by the date indicated on the course syllabus.
Materials created by the National Archives and Records Administration are in the public domain.Materials created by the National Archives and Records Administration are in the public domain.
Analyze an Artifact
Meet the artifact.
Material (check all that apply):
❑ Bone ❑ Pottery ❑ Metal ❑ Wood ❑ Stone
❑ Leather ❑ Glass ❑ Paper ❑ Cardboard ❑ Fabric
❑ Plastic ❑ Other
Observe its parts.
Describe it as if you were explaining it to someone who can’t see it.
Think about: shape, color, texture, size, weight, age, condition, movable parts, or anything written on it.
Try to make sense of it.
Answer as best you can.
Where is it from?
When is it from?
Who used it? List reasons you think so.
What was it used for? List reasons you think so.
What does this tell you about the people who made and used it?
What does it tell you about technology at the time it was made?
What is a similar item from today?
Use it as historical evidence.
What did you find out from this artifact that you might not learn anywhere else?
What other documents or historical evidence are you going to use to help you understand the
event or time in which this artifact was used?