What is a primary source?

A primary source is defined as an original document or evidence created during the time period being studied. This can include a variety of materials such as letters, photographs, diaries, official documents, and artifacts. These sources provide direct, firsthand evidence about a historical event or time period, offering invaluable insight into the experiences and perspectives of individuals who lived during that era.

Primary sources are crucial for historians and researchers because they provide a direct connection to the past and serve as the foundational evidence upon which interpretations and analyses are built. In contrast to secondary sources, which analyze, interpret, or summarize primary sources, primary sources maintain their importance by offering genuine insight into historical circumstances.

Other choices refer to secondary interpretations or compilations of information, which do not provide the authentic, original perspective needed to qualify as a primary source. Therefore, recognizing the characteristics of primary sources enhances comprehension of historical research and encourages critical engagement with historical data.