Objects can tell about the past — History, 4–6 years

Old objects give clues about how people lived. We learn by looking closely and asking what an object was for.

Clues in old things

An old object is more than something from long ago; it can be a clue. A heavy iron key, a clay cup or an old toy may show what people used, made or valued at that time. We look at its shape, material and marks.

Why use objects as clues?

A person may not be alive to tell us what daily life was like, and memories can fade or change. Objects remain to be examined. People who study the past began by carefully comparing tools, buildings and other remains to work out how they were used.

Reading an old spoon

Suppose we find a metal spoon with a small bowl and a handle. First, we notice its shape: it could hold liquid or soft food. Next, we see it is worn where fingers hold it. We can reasonably say someone used it for eating, but we cannot know every detail.

One clue is not the whole story

It is tempting to decide an object’s whole story from one feature, such as a scratch or a strange shape. That feature may have another cause. Good historians say what the clue suggests, then look for more objects, pictures or people’s accounts.

Objects in museums and homes

In a museum, an old object may sit beside a label explaining who used it and when. At home, an old family recipe book, coat or photograph can start a conversation about relatives and their lives. The object gives a starting point, not every answer.

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