Primary Source Analysis
Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to look at maps as primary sources. A primary source is something made by people who were there when something happened. Maps are primary sources because mapmakers drew what they saw and knew at the time.
What Is a Primary Source?
A primary source is an original item from the past. It can be:
- A map drawn long ago
- A photograph taken at an event
- A letter written by someone
- A diary or journal entry
Maps Tell Stories
When we look at old maps, we can learn what people knew about the world. Some old maps look very different from maps today because people had not explored everywhere yet.
How to Look at a Map as a Primary Source
When you study a map, ask these questions:
- Who made this map? Was it a sailor, a scientist, or a government?
- When was it made? Old maps may be missing places we know today.
- What does it show? Look at the title, labels, and pictures.
- Why was it made? Was it for travel, teaching, or showing land ownership?
Comparing Old and New Maps
By comparing old maps to new ones, we can see how our understanding of the world has changed. For example, very old maps did not show North America or South America because European mapmakers did not know about them yet!
Examples
Example 1: Reading a Map Title
Map Title: "Map of the Known World, 1492"
Question: What can we learn from this title?
Answer: This map was made in 1492. The word "Known" tells us it only shows places people knew about at that time. It might not show all the continents we know today.
Example 2: Looking at Map Details
What you see: An old map shows three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Question: What is missing?
Answer: North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica are missing. The mapmaker did not know about these places yet.
Example 3: Understanding Why a Map Was Made
What you see: A map with a ship drawn on the ocean and arrows showing a path.
Question: Why do you think this map was made?
Answer: This map was probably made to help sailors know where to go. The arrows show the route they should follow.
Practice
Answer these questions to practice your primary source analysis skills.
1. What is a primary source?
Think about: Is it original or a copy?
2. Why are old maps considered primary sources?
Think about: Who made them and when?
3. A map from 1400 shows only three continents. What does this tell you about what people knew back then?
Think about: Which continents are missing?
4. If a map has ships and arrows on the ocean, what was the map probably used for?
Think about: Who would need to follow a path on the ocean?
5. You find a map labeled "My Neighborhood, by Emma, Age 8." Is this a primary source? Why or why not?
Think about: Did Emma make it herself?
6. What are four questions you should ask when looking at a map as a primary source?
Think about: Who? When? What? Why?
7. A map from 1600 shows Australia as a question mark shape. What does this tell you?
Think about: Did they know what it looked like?
8. Why might a king want a map made of his country?
Think about: What would a ruler need to know about?
9. How can comparing old maps to new maps help us learn about history?
Think about: What has changed over time?
10. A sailor in 1500 drew a map of islands he discovered. Is this map more or less trustworthy than a map someone copied 100 years later? Explain.
Think about: Which one is the original?
Check Your Understanding
Test yourself with these review questions to make sure you understand primary source analysis.
Question 1: What makes something a primary source?
Show Answer
A primary source is an original item made by someone who was there. It was created at the time the event happened.
Question 2: Name two things you can learn by studying an old map.
Show Answer
You can learn what places people knew about and what places they had not discovered yet. You can also learn why the map was made (for sailing, showing land, etc.).
Question 3: Why is it important to know when a map was made?
Show Answer
The date tells us what people knew at that time. Older maps may be missing places or have incorrect shapes because people were still exploring.
Next Steps
- Look for old maps in books or online and practice asking the four questions
- Compare an old map to a modern map of the same place
- Move on to the next lesson: Maps and Data
- Return to practice problems periodically for review