Back to: History SSS 1
Hello, my brilliant Afrilearn superstar! I hope you’re feeling great today! Have you ever tried solving a mystery—maybe searching for something lost or figuring out why something happened? Historians do something similar when they study the past! They use special skills and methods to uncover the truth about ancient events, just like detectives. Today, we’ll be learning about historical skills and the different approaches to studying history—ancient and modern.
Historical Skills; ancient and modern approach
To study history properly, historians need special skills to gather information, analyse it, and make sense of what happened in the past. Let’s take a look at some of these important historical skills:Critical Thinking – Historians must think deeply and ask important questions. They don’t just accept any story; they carefully check if the information is true or false.Research Skills – They gather facts from different sources like books, artefacts, oral stories, and ancient writings. A historian must know how to find reliable information.Source Analysis – Not all information is accurate!
Historians must compare different sources and decide which ones are most reliable. For example, a history book written in 2020 might be more accurate than one written in 1900 because of new discoveries.Chronological Understanding – Historians must arrange events in the correct order to see how one event led to another. For example, before Nigeria gained independence in 1960, there were struggles, protests, and negotiations that happened first.Interpretation – The same event can have different explanations. A historian must carefully study different opinions before coming to a conclusion.Communication – After gathering and analysing information, historians must share their findings clearly through books, documentaries, or even classroom lessons like this!
Ancient Approach to History
In ancient times, people studied history differently from how we do today. Many ancient societies did not have written records, so they relied on oral tradition—stories passed down from generation to generation. Here are some ways history was recorded in ancient times:
Oral Tradition – Elders told stories about past events, heroes, wars, and traditions to younger generations. In Nigeria, the Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo people have long histories passed down through folktales, songs, and proverbs.
Artefacts and Monuments – Ancient people left behind objects like tools, pottery, and sculptures that tell us about their way of life. In Nigeria, the famous Nok terracotta sculptures give us clues about the early Nok civilisation.
Hieroglyphs and Cave Paintings – Some ancient civilisations, like the Egyptians, used special symbols (hieroglyphs) to write about their kings and gods on temple walls. Others, like early humans, painted pictures on cave walls to describe their experiences.
Stone and Clay Tablets – The early Mesopotamians (in present-day Iraq) wrote their history on clay tablets using a system called cuneiform writing.
Ancient history focused a lot on myths, religion, and heroic stories, but over time, people developed new ways of recording history.
Modern Approach to History
Today, historians use advanced methods to study the past more accurately. Thanks to modern technology and scientific discoveries, history is now studied in a more detailed and reliable way. Here are some ways the modern approach differs from the ancient approach:
Written Records – Unlike ancient societies that relied on oral tradition, modern history depends on books, newspapers, government documents, and diaries to preserve historical events.
Scientific Dating Methods – Historians now use scientific methods like carbon dating to determine the exact age of ancient objects.
Archaeology – Scientists called archaeologists carefully dig up old objects (like bones, tools, and pottery) to learn about ancient societies.
Technology and Digital Archives – Historians today use computers, online databases, and even artificial intelligence to analyse historical data.
Multiple Perspectives – Unlike the ancient approach, which focused mainly on kings and warriors, modern historians study the lives of ordinary people, women, and even enslaved individuals to get a full picture of history.
Modern history is more detailed and accurate because historians use facts, scientific methods, and different perspectives to tell the full story of the past.
Summary
Historians need special skills like critical thinking, research, source analysis, chronological understanding, interpretation, and communication.
The ancient approach to history relied on oral tradition, artefacts, cave paintings, and stone tablets to record events.
The modern approach uses scientific methods, archaeology, written records, and digital technology to study history more accurately.
Evaluation
- Mention three skills a historian needs to study history effectively.
- How did ancient people record history before writing was developed?
- What are some modern methods historians use to study history?
- Compare oral tradition and written records—what are their advantages and disadvantages?
Wow! Look at how much you’ve learned today! History is an exciting journey, and you’re doing a fantastic job exploring it. Keep asking questions, keep seeking knowledge, and always remember—you are part of history too! See you in the next lesson!
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