Lesson 1: History and Historiography

Video Lesson

Competencies(MLC)

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

• Explain the meaning of history and pre history
• Describe the use of history.
• Analyze the the study of pre history with out writing.
• Explain the meaning of Historiography and Historiographer,

Brainstorming Questions

• What is the difference between history and pre history?
• What is the use of History learning ?
• What is Historiography?

Key Terms

1.1. History and prehistory

1.1.1. Meaning of History

The term ‘history’ comes from the Greek word ‘historia,’ meaning ‘an account of inquiries.’ Essentially, history is the study of human activities and developments in the past. It encompasses the political, social, and economic changes that have shaped civilizations over time. By examining these aspects, we gain insight into how past events influence our present and future.”

1.1.2. Meaning of Prehistory

Prehistory refers to the period of human history before written records existed. but we rely on archaeological evidence and artifacts to learn about this era. By studying prehistory, we uncover the beginnings of human culture and societies before the advent of written.

History helps us :–

• To know about the past,
• Understand the present, and
• Foresee future developments.
• It also allows us to understand national and international issues,
• learn from past successes and mistakes,

History is about human interaction, the growth of civilizations, the invention of new technology, History describe based on truth not an opinion other wise it will be story or fiction for entertainment

1.2. Meaning of Historiography

1.2.1. Meaning of Historiography

Historiography studies how history is recorded and transmitted. The oldest written history, from China, dates back to before 1000 BC. Ancient Greek historians like Herodotus and Thucydides pioneered history writing, with Herodotus first using the term “history” around 484-425 BC. In the 19th century, Leopold von Ranke established modern historiography. Ethiopia had its own chronicle tradition, and formal academic history emerged there in the 1960s.

1.2.2. Historical Interpretation

Historical interpretation is the process by which we describe, analyze, evaluate, and create an explanation of past. Events happened in the past is endless. Thus, historians select topics or problems they desire to study. History is a systematic and objective study of the past as a field of discipline. Historians use specific basic methods in writing History expected to avoid bias

.Herodotus the father of ancient history and John Ranks the father of modern history writers respectively. pictures from Google .