A historian studies documents to understand what happened in the past. These documents include ancient books and diaries, newspapers, paintings as well movies and videos. They can also use ‘oral histories’, which are recordings of people talking about their own lives.

An archaeologist studies objects to understand what happened in the past. These objects can include ancient pieces of pottery, stone tools, animal bones or even shells. They find these objects on digs where they carefully remove them from the ground, taking note of what else was found at that site.

Anthropologists also study history. By talking to people and asking them about their lives, they can come to a better understanding of a society's identity and traditions. They can also observe actions like dance to better understand a society's history.