The history that we know at present is not complete and comprehensive.
TRUE
FALSE
The correct answer and explanation is :
TRUE
History, as we know it today, is not complete and comprehensive. Despite extensive research, historical records are often limited, biased, or missing crucial information. Several factors contribute to this incompleteness:
- Lost or Destroyed Records – Many historical documents and artifacts have been lost due to natural disasters, wars, or deliberate destruction. For example, the Library of Alexandria, which housed vast knowledge of the ancient world, was burned down, erasing significant historical information.
- Bias in Historical Accounts – History is often recorded by the victors or those in power, leading to a one-sided narrative. Many marginalized communities and cultures have had their histories suppressed or rewritten to fit dominant perspectives.
- Oral Traditions and Undocumented Histories – Many civilizations relied on oral traditions rather than written records. These stories may change over time or be lost if not documented. African, Indigenous, and other non-Western histories often suffer from this issue.
- Archaeological Limitations – Our understanding of history is shaped by available evidence, which is continuously evolving. New archaeological discoveries frequently challenge previously accepted historical narratives. For instance, the discovery of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey changed our understanding of early civilizations, proving that organized societies existed earlier than previously thought.
- Scientific and Technological Constraints – Advances in science, such as DNA analysis and radiocarbon dating, continue to refine historical knowledge. What we accept as fact today may be revised in the future as new evidence emerges.
Because of these factors, history remains an evolving discipline. While historians strive for accuracy, our understanding of the past will never be completely comprehensive.