historical paper
Noun: A document or piece of writing that provides information about the past, considered valuable for understanding history. It refers to authentic, non-fictional records, as opposed to works of fiction or mythological stories.
This term is used to categorize and describe primary source materials or significant writings from a past era that are studied for factual historical information. - The archive's collection of historical papers includes letters from the Civil War era. - Researchers spent months analyzing the historical papers of the early settlement.
- "to be treated as a historical paper": To be formally considered and preserved as a document of historical importance.
- The scientist's original lab notes are now treated as a historical paper.
- Historical document: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably.
- Archival material: A broader term that includes historical papers along with other artifacts like photographs and maps.
- Manuscript: An original, handwritten document, which may be a historical paper.
- Primary source
- Historical record
- Archival document
- Collection of historical papers: A grouped set of such documents.
- The library has a vast collection of historical papers on industrial development.
The term specifically emphasizes the non-fictional and evidentiary value of the writing. It distinguishes factual records from creative or legendary accounts (e.g., novels or myths). The value lies in its ability to provide direct insight into past events, people, or societies.
- writing having historical value (as opposed to fiction or myth etc.)