Primary source facts for kids

This wall painting found in the Roman city of Pompeii is an example of a primary source about people in Pompeii in Roman times. (Portrait of Paquius Proculo)

From a letter of Philip II, King of Spain, 16th century

A primary source is an original document or other material that has not been changed in any way. Usually it was produced by someone with direct personal knowledge of the events that are described. It is used as an original source of information about the topic. Primary sources are distinguished from secondary sources. Secondary sources are documents based on primary sources. Different fields have slightly different definitions of a primary source. In journalism, for example, a primary source can also be a person.

Related pages

• Historiography
• Secondary source
• Tertiary source

See also

In Spanish: Fuente primaria para niños