A Guide to Oral-historical Evidence

Abstract

Oral-historical methodology is briefly analysed and explained based on the author’s personal experience in the field over 30 years. The definition and uses of structured and unstructured interviews are detailed. The emotional aspects of interviewing are recognised. The problem sof how to address questions of credibility, transferability, dependability or confirm ability are examined. Examples of how to juxtapose different sources with oral evidence to support an historical interpretation are given. Following Alison Wylie’s suggestions, use of ‘networks of resistances’ and ‘concatenations of inferences’ is recommended. In summary, personal narrative is seen as an elegant tool which enriches the history of archaeology. Oral recollections can recreate and capture the volume, silence, emotion and personal meaning of events. The Personal Histories Project is introduced as a way to create new sources and oral-history archives for future students, teachers and researchers.