Historical method · Learning guide

Read a timeline critically

Timelines make sequence visible, but their selections can quietly shape the story.

Ask what was selected

A short timeline cannot include every region or community. A list of rulers and wars will tell a different story from a list of technologies, migrations or environmental changes.

Sequence is not cause

An event happening before another does not establish causation. Look for mechanisms, supporting sources and alternative explanations before connecting the two.

Dates have conventions

BCE and CE label years using the same numbering as BC and AD. In this convention there is no year zero. Some events span periods and cannot responsibly be reduced to a single date.

Further reading: Reference source ↗. Written for this starter collection. Check primary references for specialised use.