How did the invention of writing affect the sources on which historians rely on?

Answer 1

Before civilizations discovered writing, their traditions and history was passed down from generation to generation through oral story telling. These stories and traditions could never be documented and so there is very little understanding of primitive man and primitive society. With cultures that predate writing, historians rely on artifacts (tools, clothing, buildings, drawings, pottery) left by ancient people, to build a picture of what life was like for them. With the invention of writing, historians have an actual account of life during that time and can build a much better understanding on the culture and traditions of that civilization. Other artifacts are given more of meaning because the written accounts may tell archaeologists what exactly that item was used for, but the item is no longer necessary, to guess what life was like.

Answer 2

Before civilizations discovered writing, their traditions and history was passed down from generation to generation through oral story telling. These stories and traditions could never be documented and so there is very little understanding of primitive man and primitive society. With cultures that predate writing, historians rely on artifacts (tools, clothing, buildings, drawings, pottery) left by ancient people, to build a picture of what life was like for them. With the invention of writing, historians have an actual account of life during that time and can build a much better understanding on the culture and traditions of that civilization. Other artifacts are given more of meaning because the written accounts may tell archaeologists what exactly that item was used for, but the item is no longer necessary, to guess what life was like.

Answer 3

The invention of writing affected the sources on which historians rely on because historians came up with and made their own sources to communicate and live. When, writing was invented, it was the new way of communication that everyone used instead of their own or other ones ways that were only used by a small amount of people.

Answer 4

Before civilizations discovered writing, their traditions and history was passed down from generation to generation through oral story telling. These stories and traditions could never be documented and so there is very little understanding of primitive man and primitive society. With cultures that predate writing, historians rely on artifacts (tools, clothing, buildings, drawings, pottery) left by ancient people, to build a picture of what life was like for them. With the invention of writing, historians have an actual account of life during that time and can build a much better understanding on the culture and traditions of that civilization. Other artifacts are given more of meaning because the written accounts may tell archaeologists what exactly that item was used for, but the item is no longer necessary, to guess what life was like.