* Primary sources: These are documents, artifacts, or other objects that were created at the time of the events being studied. Examples of primary sources include letters, diaries, newspapers, photographs, and government records.
* Secondary sources: These are works that have been written about the past by historians or other scholars. Examples of secondary sources include textbooks, biographies, and journal articles.
* Oral histories: These are interviews with people who have personal knowledge of the events being studied. Oral histories can be a valuable source of information, especially for events that were not well-documented in writing.
* Archaeology: This is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts. Archaeologists can learn about past cultures by studying the remains of their buildings, tools, and other objects.
* Historical linguistics: This is the study of how languages change over time. Historical linguists can use changes in language to learn about past migrations, cultural contacts, and other historical events.
By using these and other methods, historians are able to learn about the past and to reconstruct the lives of the people who came before us.