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Why are primary sources important to historians?

Primary source documents and artifacts are our only direct connection with prior peoples and events. Myths, misunderstandings or deception tend to color our understanding of the past. Primary sources are the most direct evidence available to aid our understanding of historical events.

Primary sources come in many different formats. For example, an individual's letters or diaries may be available in a manuscript archive, in a published book, on the Web or on microfilm. These materials are considered primary sources regardless of the format used to read them.

Next: How do you tell whether a source is primary or secondary?