The period from 700 to 1200 CE was a time of significant social and political changes in various regions across the globe. To understand the evolution of human society during this time, several sources can be used to reconstruct the social history of the period. These sources can be classified into two categories: primary and secondary sources.
Primary sources are those that were created during the period under study and provide direct evidence of the events and social structures of the time. Archaeological remains are a crucial primary source that provides valuable insights into the social and economic structures of the people who lived during this period. Excavated settlements, buildings, and tools provide information about trade networks, agricultural practices, and religious beliefs of ancient societies. For example, excavations in Angkor Wat in Cambodia have revealed the impressive infrastructure and urban planning of the Khmer Empire during the 9th to the 15th century.
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Written records are also an essential primary source for reconstructing social history. Official documents, letters, chronicles, and religious texts provide information about political structures, social customs, and religious beliefs of the time. For example, the medieval Arabic text “The Book of the Two Gardens” describes the social and cultural life in the Islamic Golden Age during the 8th to the 13th century.
Additionally, oral traditions, such as myths, legends, and stories passed down from generation to generation, provide insights into the religious beliefs, social customs, and historical events of ancient societies. These traditions are especially valuable for societies that did not have a writing system or whose written records were lost over time. For example, the Maori people of New Zealand have preserved their history through oral traditions, including the story of their ancestor Kupe, who discovered New Zealand in the 10th century.
Secondary sources, created after the period under study, provide interpretations and analyses of primary sources. Historical works, such as books, articles, and other works written by historians who have analyzed primary sources, provide interpretations and analyses of the social, political, and economic structures of the time. For example, the historian Ibn Khaldun’s “Muqaddimah” is a comprehensive analysis of the social and political structures of the Islamic world during the 14th century.
Ethnographic studies of contemporary societies that have retained cultural practices and beliefs from the period under study also provide insights into the social structures, economic practices, and religious beliefs of ancient societies. For example, studying the traditional practices and beliefs of the Ainu people in Japan provides insights into the social and cultural practices of ancient Jomon people who lived in Japan during the period from 14,000 BCE to 300 BCE.
Lastly, linguistic analyses provide insights into the social and cultural practices of ancient societies. For example, the study of Old English texts provides insights into the social structures and cultural practices of Anglo-Saxon England during the period from the 5th to the 11th century.
In conclusion, reconstructing the social history of the period from 700 to 1200 CE requires the use of various primary and secondary sources. The combination of these sources allows historians to create a comprehensive picture of the lives and practices of ancient societies, leading to a better understanding of human history.