Reading evidence, not just repeating a story

An old object does not explain itself. A bowl may tell us something about manufacture, food, exchange or ceremony, but each conclusion needs supporting evidence. Its shape matters; so do the place where it was found, the layer around it and its relationship to nearby materials. Archaeologists call these relationships context. Removing an object without recording that context can destroy information that cannot be recovered simply by putting the object in a museum. [S01, S02]

For this course, ask three questions whenever you meet a historical statement. What survives? How has it been studied? What conclusion does that evidence support? A wall is a surviving structure. Calling it a defensive wall is an interpretation that may be strengthened by its position, construction and relationship to other features. The difference is not a reason to distrust all interpretation. It is a way to see how an argument is built.

Written sources need similar care. Ask who created a record, whom it addressed and what purpose it served. A ruler’s inscription and an everyday account may describe the same society from very different positions. A modern museum label adds another layer: it summarizes research for a particular audience.

As you continue, use four simple headings in your notes: evidence, interpretation, limits and questions. You do not have to solve every debate. You do need to avoid turning a possibility into a certainty. A careful statement can be both interesting and incomplete: “This object suggests exchange, but does not identify everyone involved.”

Activity: Imagine a decorated pot found in a house beside grain remains. Write one observation, one possible interpretation and one question requiring further evidence.

Suggested response: Observation: a decorated pot was found in that recorded setting. Interpretation: it may relate to preparing or storing food. Question: do residues or wear marks support that use? Decoration alone does not settle the purpose.

Sources and further reading: S01, S02. Related links: “How to explore Indigenous histories” → L02; “Study the evidence from Kerma” → L04.