period document

[ˈpɪəriəd ˈdɒkjumənt]
nounpl: period documents
documento de época
1. An original document created during a specific historical period, used as historical evidence or reference material
The historian analyzed period documents from the 18th century to understand daily life.
O historiador analisou documentos de época do século XVIII para compreender a vida cotidiana.
2. A written or printed source from the time period being studied, rather than a later account or interpretation
Period documents such as letters and newspapers provide firsthand accounts of the American Civil War.
Documentos de época como cartas e jornais fornecem relatos de primeira mão sobre a Guerra Civil Americana.
3. An authentic manuscript, record, or publication that originated from a particular era
The museum displayed period documents alongside artifacts to give visitors context.
O museu exibiu documentos de época ao lado de artefatos para dar contexto aos visitantes.
Period documents are fundamental to historical research in both Brazilian and American academia. In the United States, archives and libraries preserve period documents as treasures of national heritage. Brazil similarly maintains colonial-era documents in institutions like the National Archives (Arquivo Nacional). The term reflects the academic importance placed on original sources versus interpretations.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
primary sourceoriginal documentcontemporary documenthistorical documentsource material
Antonyms / Antônimos
secondary sourcemodern interpretationlater account

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
documento de época
Standard term used in academic and historical contexts
Portugal
documento de período
Alternative phrasing sometimes used in European Portuguese
Academic Portuguese
fonte primária
Often used interchangeably in academic settings

Related Words

manuscriptarchivehistorical recordprimary sourcehistoriographypaleographyprovenance

Related Idioms & Phrases

straight from the horse's mouth (when referencing period documents as authoritative)
primary source material
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