What is History? In its broadest sense, history is the story of people- the study of our past. Some historieans look at important events, such as wars, revolutions and governments, while others are interested in ordinary people's lives. Henry Ford, teh American car manufacturer, once said "History in bunk", but most people would disagree. Our lives today are shaped by decisions and actions made decades, centuries or even thousands of year ago. By understanding the past, we may be able to gain a more balanced view of the present and foresee future development.
Before historians can interpret the past, they must first establish the facts about the events they are studying. Historians look for evidence by researching many doucments and records, called historical sources.
Archaeology is the study of the physical remains of the past- everything from a priceless statue to a rubbish tip. It can tell us about societies that existed before records were made.
Source: Ganeri A., Martell M., William B., The Encyclopedia of World History, UK, 2006, Pg 8, 10 and 12
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