FACLTY OF LAW

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

COURSE TITLE:
EARLY NIGERIAN HISTORY

COURSE CODE:
HIST 103

QUESTIONS:
1. WRITTEN AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SOURCES ARE
SUPERIOR TO OTHER SOURCES IN THE STUDY OF EARLY
NIGERIAN HISTPORY.

2. EXAMINE THE NATURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP

BETWEEN HISTORY AND OTHER DISCIPLINES

BY:
SULEIMAN ATOLAGBE YUSUF

Registration no. : U21SH1064

LECTURER NAME
DR. SALIHU ZUBAIRU MUSTAPHA

JANUARY, 2023
QUESTION 1 (ONE):
“WRITTEN AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SOURCES ARE SUPERIOR TO OTHER SOURCES
IN THE STUDY OF NIGERIAN HISTORY.” DISCUSS.

ABSTRACT
In order to substantiate their claims of the early accomplishments of the Africans before and after

the coming of Europeans, Africanist historians have had to depend on a number of sources such

as written records, archeology, cultural history, or ethnology, historical linguistics, physical

anthropology and oral tradition.

INSIGHT INTO THE NIGERIAN HISTORY

The history of Nigeria can be traced to settlers trading across the Middle East and Africa as early

as 1100 BC. Numerous ancient African civilizations settled in the region that is known today as

Nigeria, such as Kingdom of Nri, the Benin Empire, and the Oyo Empire. Islam reached Nigeria

through the Bornu Empire between (1068 AD) and Hausa States around (1385 AD) during the

11th century, while Christianity came to Nigeria in the 15th century through Augustinian and

Capuchin monks from Portugal. The Songhai Empire also occupied part of the region. From the

15th century, European slave traders arrived in the region to purchase enslave Africans as part of

the Atlantic slave trade, which started in the modern-day Nigeria; the first Nigerian port used by

European slave traders was Badagry a coastal harbour. Local merchants provided them with

slaves escalating conflicts among ethnic groups in the region and disrupting older trade patterns

through the Trans-Saharan route.

SOURCES OF NIGERIAN HISTORY

Let’s now examine these sources briefly restricting it to Nigeria

LITERARY/ WRITTEN SOURCES:

Literary sources of Nigerian history can be divided into three categories namely; (i) works by

Arabs scholars (ii) Geographers (iii) Historians.

Literary works by Arab scholars, geographers and historians help us to get insight into the

history of early people of West Africa most especially from the eighth century up to the fifteenth

century. This was the period when the Europeans had little knowledge of the people. It is from

these sources that the history of Ghana, Mali, Bornu empires and Hausa states have been

reconstructed. Some of the early Arab writers who wrote about the people include Leo

Africanus, Al-Bakri, Magrizi and Ibn Khaldun. The indigenous writers who also wrote about the

people include Ahmad Ibn Fartuwa and Al-Barnawi. There were also the Kano chroniclers.

Individuals such as Al-Said, Usman Dan Fodio, Mohammed Bello and Abdulahi wrote about

Sokoto and the Sokoto Jihad.

European literary sources of Nigerian history are divided into two categories – primary sources

and general literature. These include official and private documents in the form of official

publications by the governments and parliaments of colonial powers, peace treaties and other

agreements concluded by great powers between one another and with Africans, legislative acts,

edicts, dispatches, memoranda etc. of the colonial administrations, documents from African

companies and individual merchants; letters, memoirs of agents of African companies, or

administrators as well as individual traders, missionaries and adventurers.

The works of European writers have been handled with great scepticism and criticism not only

because there are clear falsifiers like Stanley and Carl peters, but also because scanty knowledge

of geography, ethnography and other social sciences at that time often led them into grave errors

and distortions. Thus, for example, John Van Riebeecks, in the middle of the 17th century took

the saan and the Khoi-Khoi for one and the same people. Similarly, the German traveler
Frederick Hornemann in the late eighteenth century wrote that he had ascertained that the Niger

flows into the Nile. Nevertheless, works of contemporaries contain a lot of valuable data on the

history and socio-economic development of the African people they met.

European sources also include literature or historical literature written by colonialists, imperialist

and reactionary historians of the colonizing powers. Such works sought to justify European

presence and their exploitation of Africa by giving the impression that Africa had no past or

history, that Africans lived in primitive savagery and ignorance, that the white race had a burden

to civilize Africa. Some European writers who wrote about Nigerian history of Benin in the

fifteenth and sixteenth century include Pachero, Pereira, Ruy de Pina, de Barros etc. Some of the

explorers who wrote about Nigeria included Richard and John Lander (Lander Brothers),

Clapperton, Henry Bath and Mary Kingsley. The best means of checking such work is to make

comparisons between the works of authors from various European nations who in their struggle

for the control of African colonies always endeavors to point out one another’s lies and

atrocities. Another written source of Nigeria history include works written by Nigerians who had

acquired knowledge of English language. Such writers include Samuel Johnson, and Jacob

Egharevba etc. The works by these writers have helped to debunk the lies in the writings of the

European writers.

Archaeology

Archaeology is a historical science and method whereby the past is reconstructed through

analysis and interpretation of excavated natural objects. Thanks to advances in archaeology and

its invaluable discoveries, historians have been able to solve difficult problems regarding wide

issues as the origin of man and the re-establishment of truth and facts about African civilizations

and cultures. It is mainly due to the strong and decisive evidence provided by archaeology
discoveries that old myths and reactionary falsifications of history regarding Zimbabwe,

Kingdoms of Sudan, Ghana, Mali, Songhai, NOK, Ife, Benin have been finally laid to rest.

Cultural History or Ethnology

Cultural history is the method used by ethnologist in establishing the relationship between two

cultures and the evolution they have experienced. This is achieved by comparing the cultural

traits common to them. Whereas archaeology deals primarily with material finds and data,

cultural history is not confined in material effects but includes all cultural traits as well as

evidence of an early level of development.

Historical Linguistics

Historical linguistics is a historical science whose subject is the establishment of genetic links

between languages and groups of people. It provides information concerning the history of

migrations. Through historical linguistics it may be possible to establish a common ethnic origin

for people with linguistic affiliations. But a common language does not necessarily imply a

common ethnic group. For example, whereas the Hausa and Fulani people speak Hausa, they

have different origins. On the other hand, the Isoko, Urhobo, Esan and Western Igbo speak

languages which belong to the Edo group of Languages.

Physical Anthropology

Physical anthropology attempts to establish the similarities and dissimilarities between the

populations of the world. Physical anthropology contributed immensely to the study of the origin

of man, and man’s gradual spread to different parts of the world. However, because geographical

and climatic conditions determine racial and physical features, it is difficult to establish which
differences are due solely to genetic factors. Thus, since the result of physical anthropology are

more or less generalized, the value of physical anthropology to history is limited.

Oral traditions

In parts of the world inhabited by people who did not acquire writing (pre-literate societies), oral

traditions form the main available source of their history. Even amongst people who knew

writing, many historical sources, including the most ancient ones were based on memories of the

past. Oral traditions are historical sources of a special nature in that they are “unwritten” and

transmitted orally, with the preservation of past events depending on the power of memory of

successive generations. Not all oral sources are oral traditions. Oral tradition is sources which

have been transmitted from one person to another through language. Eye-witness accounts, even

when given orally, are not oral traditions because they are not reported statements.

Oral traditions consist exclusively of hear-say accounts, that is, testimonies of events not

witnessed or remembered by the author, but which he has learned about through hear-say. This

definition excludes rumors, for although it is an oral source, it does not concern the past. Rumor

is a piece of news arising in the situation of tension or unrest when the usual channels of

communication are no longer functioning. However, rumours may remain in people minds and

later give rise to oral traditions, but this not alter the fact that, in themselves, rumours are not oral

traditions. Oral traditions consist of all verbal testimonies, which are reported statements

concerning the past: narratives, legends, anecdotes, myths, proverbs, list of genealogies, tales,

commentaries, poetry, place names, and precedents in law.

Although some writers such as Murdock have asserted that indigenous oral traditions are

completely undependable much beyond the recollection of living informants, writers like Ryder,
believe that “one of the most hopeful means of filling the yawning gaps in our knowledge of

Africa’s past is contained in the enormous body of materials which historians know as oral

tradition and oral evidence”. There existed among some groups such as Benin, Yoruba etc.

professional historians whose responsibility it was to relate the history of their people to the

younger ones and visitors and they were maintained and catered for by the palace. These

professionals (palace) historians could relate by words of mouth, the history of their ancestors,

rulers and people with astounding clarity. In fact, in some societies, it was an offence sometimes

punishable by death any lapse in memory or fabrication by such historians.

QUESTION 2: EXAMINE THE NATURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HISTORY

AND OTHER DISCIPLINES

History is a study of the various facts of human life and is closely linked with other social

sciences which make a specific study of different facts of human life.

Many scholars held a view that history is the centre of the social sciences which feeds other

social sciences.

History and Political Science:

Prof. Seeley summed up the relationship between history and political science beautifully that,
“History without political science has no fruit and political science without history has no root.”

A historian is not merely concerned with the tracing of the history of the political process by a

narration of the episodes.

But he has to learn the nature of fundamental political principles and basic forms of political

institution. In the view of this closeness between two subjects, the development of political

institutions, rules, regulations, right and duties, law and mode of justice, executive, legislative

and administrative functions, economic and financial implications, nature of bureaucracy,

fundamental principles of state policy are all defined under the constitution history.

Diplomatic history is a specialized branch of political history which deals with the principles of

international relations. Ambassadors are the links between nations and they were custodians and

practitioners of diplomacy.

The issue like: balance of power, cold war, international peace, disarmament have assumed great

importance in recent times. The military history is an important chapter in political history where

in wars, battles, campaigns and conquests figures very prominently. It deals with the causes of a

war, strategy and war tactics, war weapons etc.

History is very helpful to politics because the political aspects is a part of the whole range of

activity recorded by historian and knowledge of history would enable the politicians to know the

politics better and play their role effectively. Prof. Acton has correctly pointed out, “the science

of politics is the one science that is deposited by the stream of history like grains of gold in the

sand of a river.”

History and Economics:

History is also closely related to Economics. As the activities of a man in society are very closely

related with the economic matters, the historian of any period must possess at least a rudimentary

knowledge of the economics. In fact, the economic history of any period is an important branch

of history and its understanding is absolutely essential for the proper understanding of history of

any period.

There has been a new orientation in our historical outlook from the days of the materialistic

interpretation of history by Marx and such class struggle, man’s skill in earning, arts and crafts,

trade, business and commerce, land revenue, taxes and a host of all other economic activities of

the past figure very prominently in history.

No doubt, it is true that during the last few years economics has become very complex and

difficult subject, mostly dependent on mathematics, and a modern historian cannot acquire basic

working knowledge of economic theory without devoting a lot of time and leaving little time for

the study and writing of history.

Therefore, a new set of economic history by the use of economic historians have emerged who

try to study the economic history by the use of the economic tools. At present, history is so

closely interlinked with the study of economic problems that it would not be possible to

reconstruct history without knowledge of the relevant economic problems.

History and Statistics:

In the present century the writing of history has been greatly influenced by the statistical data.

With the invention of computers, the collection of statistical data has become possible. The

historians have given up the former practice of using the in exact term like majority of historians

or people, “wide support” etc., and have started quoting the exact percentage of the people or the
help of the computer and processing of enormous data can be completed within a short span and

a systematic information can be collected.

Though the conclusion drawn on the basis of the data may be known to the historians on the

basis of the impressionistic evidence, which does reduce the value because it provides a concrete

evidence for a previously held thesis.

On the same line the use of the historical demography ‘viz-information regarding the movement

of people, births and deaths, fertility rates, immigrations, etc., cannot be possible without the

means to process and correlate the vast and complex data made available by various official

records.

This type of detailed investigation enables the historians to understand the different facts of the

past life. A new branch called “Clio metrics” has come into vague, according to which the use of

mathematics has come into greater play in the writing of history and interpretation of the

numerous sources.

A good historical writing is described as:

A=a+b

“A” stands for the net result that flow from the historian’s mind and pen. “a” is the statistical “d”

data and facts which he finds in the records or source “b” is the interpretative and explanatory

skill of historian which are essential to make history meaningful. The proper of “Cliometrics”

has resulted in what called “Quantified History”.

History and Sociology:

History and sociology are intimately related and a number of sociologists like Auguste Comte

are also important figure in the development of historical studies. Karl Marx was also a great

historian and sociologist. Both History and Sociology are concerned with the study of man in

society and differed only with regard to their approach.

In the recent years it was realized that a fruitful interaction between the two disciplines was

possible and Emile Durkheim, Max Weber acknowledge the initial dependence of sociology

upon history. Although, history too benefits from the synthesis produced by the sociologists.

Sociologists exercised profound influence on the study of history by developing the certain

narrow areas of human activity. They adopted the sampling techniques and develop their tools

with a view to minimize the subjective element. In brief, sociology is helping history to study

‘social dynamics’ which is a study not of society at rest but constantly in social change and

development social processes and social causation are giving a new perspective to history. India

too our historians are now giving increasing attention to social history.

History and Ethics:

History and ethics have a close relationship. Although a true historian is not expected to pass

distinct and sensitive judgments on the historical incidents and characters, yet he must know

about the ethical principle of the time which influenced the conduct of the people in the past.

Probably in the past, there was not reliable ethical science and much of followed were merely a

reflection of the bigotry, partial and complexes of the different writers.

In the recent times an attempt has been made to evolve an ethical theory on the basis of biology,

psychology and sociology by the scholars like Stephen, Duprat, Dewey etc. A science of conduct
has been evolved. A historian must understand and master this science of ethics to have a wider

perspective of the issue.

History and Psychology:

History and Psychology are also closely linked. A historian must have to show some

psychological insights while making an analysis of the motive and actions of men and societies.

Historian work would be mere fiction unless he uses the discoveries of modern psychology. The

personal life and the environment of a historian has a direct bearing in his decision and often

import a bias to his account and renders the much desired objectivity impossible.

The impact of psychology on history is evident from the fact that in the past historian inquired

primarily into the origins of war and ignored the result of war. As a result of the influence of

psychology historians have under taken the study of the results and impacts of war. An

understanding of the group psychology can enable a historian to determine the role of masses in

the various revolutions such as Jingoistic patriotism has been described as the cause of certain

wars but historian can discuss this cause with the help of the social psychology.

History and Geography:

Universally it is accepted that History and Geography have very close ties. In fact it would be

practically impossible to study; certain branches of history without rudimentary knowledge of

geography e.g., the diplomatic or military history cannot be fallowed without necessary

geographical knowledge of the region. Geography is one of the eyes of history the other eye

being chronology. Time and space factors give history its correct perspective.

Prof. Michelet was of the opinion that history was in essence found upon geography. He says

“Without a geographical basis the people, the makers of history, seek to be walking.” German
philosopher Kant said, “Geography lies at the basis of history.” Herder said that “history is

geography set in motion.”

There are others like American geographer, Ells Worth Huntington, and Allen Semple who

emphasise the importance of climate as having crucial influence on the course of history as well

as on race temperament.

It is a fact that many geographical factors such as climate, social, rivers, mountains, sea,

coastline and mineral resources aided the development of river in valley. Cultures as in early

Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China. Herodotus, the early Greek historian describes that

“Egypt is the gift of the Nile”.

Even Aristotle and Montesquieu have emphasized the influence of climate on man. The physical

formation of the country such as Britain, Japan and Greece with broken coastlines had a very

powerful impact on its history. This facilitated their naval strength and empire building activities.

Similarly, the Himalayas and the jungles of Assam have acted as barriers against invasions from

the North and East of India. The Himalayas and the Gobi and Mongolian deserts were

responsible for the isolation of China. The geographical discoveries of America and a new route

to India determined the character of World History since the Renaissance.

Geography also plays an important role in the national character formation and influence the

human behavior. As we know that climate of a country greatly affected the civilization of a

country. Hence the knowledge of geographical is very essential for historians. It would be wise

to accept the limited interpretation of geographical influence on man’s conduct or on his history.

History and Paleography

Paleography can be conceptualized as the study of ancient alphabetical characters. The alphabets

form changes depending on the period and area. Describes how each letter has changed across

time and space. Paleographers are unable to write in the realms of time and space.

A paleographer cannot only read old manuscripts or inscriptions but also date them and he can

tell us the history of these characters and how they have changed over a period. In the past, as

also today, education had the effect of understanding the shape of letters used in each center of

culture. For example, in India, the problem is still more complicated with a score of different

languages and different scripts in use.

Paleography also includes the abbreviations employed by scribes who were in high demand prior

to the introduction of printing. The abbreviations used in manuscripts are included in

dictionaries. It encourages mental acuity and the development of empirical abilities. It improves

the capacity to deal with challenges as they arise when solving puzzles and issues. Using

computer technology, a group of researchers is attempting to interpret the writing of the

Indusvalley civilisation.

History and Paleontology

The study of what fossils teach us about the past, evolution, and our role in the world as humans

is known as palaeontology. This science aids in the study of prehistoric human and proto-human

fossils through human palaeontology (PalaeoAnthropology), which is supported by genetic

science, a branch of biological science that aids in genetic analysis, which is done through

genetic and biological examination in tracing and ascertaining the trend of a family, group, or

society.

HISTORY AND PSYCHOLOGY

The scientific study of the mind and behaviour is known as psychology. Psychology, like history,

is a multidimensional science with several subfields of study, including human development,

sports, health, clinical, social behaviour, and cognitive process. Some elements look at the

impact of culture and society, while others look at the function of evolution in historical

research. Psychology is viewed as one facet of a social condition that may be described in

historical terms. In analyzing man's and societies' motives and behaviours, psychology supports

history. The importance of psychology in historical biography and autobiography is undeniable.

The influence of psychology on history can be seen in the fact that in the past, historians focused

on the origins of war and ignored the consequences of war; now, historians are studying the

consequences and impacts of war, and can also help determine the role of the masses in such

wars or revolutions, thanks to the influence of psychology. The effects of events such as war and

natural disasters on the citizenry of a geographical place are best understood via psycho-analysis

of the impacted and example, in India, the problem is still more complicated with a score of

different languages and different scripts in use. Paleography also includes the abbreviations

employed by scribes who were in high demand prior to the introduction of printing. The

abbreviations used in manuscripts are included in dictionaries. It encourages mental acuity and

the development of empirical abilities. It improves the capacity to deal with challenges as they

arise when solving puzzles and issues. Using computer technology, a group of researchers is

attempting to interpret the writing of the Indus valley civilization.

HISTORY AND PALAEONTOLOGY

The study of what fossils teach us about the past, evolution, and our role in the world as humans

is known as palaeontology. This science aids in the study of prehistoric human and proto-human fossils
through human palaeontology (PalaeoAnthropology), which is supported by genetic science, a branch of

biological science that aids in genetic analysis, which is done through genetic and biological

examination in tracing and ascertaining the trend of a family, group, or society.

HISTORY AND PSYCHOLOGY

The scientific study of the mind and behaviour is known as psychology. Psychology, like history,

is a multidimensional science with several subfields of study, including human development,

sports, health, clinical, social behaviour, and cognitive process. Some elements look at the

impact of culture and society, while others look at the function of evolution in historical

research. Psychology is viewed as one facet of a social condition that may be described in

historical terms. In analyzing man's and societies' motives and behaviours, psychology supports

history. The importance of psychology in historical biography and autobiography is undeniable.

The influence of psychology on history can be seen in the fact that in the past, historians focused

on the origins of war and ignored the consequences of war; now, historians are studying the

consequences and impacts of war, and can also help determine the role of the masses in such

wars or revolutions, thanks to the influence of psychology. The effects of events such as war and

natural disasters on the citizenry of a geographical place are best understood via psycho-analysis

of the impacted and neighbouring communities' populations.

HISTORY AND SIGILLOGRAPHY:

The term "Sigillography" comes from the word "Sigil," which meaning "seal" or "signature." It

can also refer to a "Mark" or a symbol that is said to have occult power. In history, it has referred
to the study of seals and can be considered a diplomatic department. It's also known as

"Sphragistic," which refers to the study of engraved seals, such as their legitimacy, age, history,

and content. Because of the writing utilized, the Indus Valley civilization's seals have remained

undeciphered. Seals were extremely crucial in the administration of Medieval India, and without

them, no document was legitimate. They are extremely useful in providing us with information

such as the ruler's name, title, the size of his kingdom, the date of the document, the religion or

dynasty to which he belonged, and the period and era of the issuance. These seals also reveal the

period's degree of cultural development.

HISTORY AND GRAPHOLOGY

Graphology is the science of assessing a person's character by analyzing his handwriting.

According to research, there is an undeniable link between a person's character and his

handwriting, which reveals what kind of person he is. When a graphologist examines a person's

handwriting, he should look at a few factors such as the material used for the writing, the writer's

location and position, and the circumstances in which the writing was done.

HISTORY AND ETHICS

History and ethics are inextricably linked. Although a real historian is not required to make

unique and sensitive judgements on historical events and individuals, he must be aware of the

ethical principles that impacted people's behaviour in the past. There was probably no accurate

ethical science in the past, and most of what came after were only a refl ection of the prejudices,

partiality, and complexity of the many writers.

Scholars such as Stephen, Duprat, and Dewey have attempted to develop an ethical theory based
on biology, psychology, and sociology in recent years. There has developed a science of

behaviour. To have a broader perspective on the topic, a historian must grasp and grasp this

discipline of ethics.

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHYThe term "Sigillography" comes from the word "Sigil," which

meaning "seal" or "signature." It can also refer to a "Mark" or a symbol that is said to have occult

power. In history, it has referred to the study of seals and can be considered a diplomatic

department. It's also known as "Sphragistic," which refers to the study of engraved seals, such as

their legitimacy, age, history, and content. Because of the writing utilized, the Indus Valley

civilization's seals have remained undeciphered. Seals were extremely crucial in the

administration of Medieval India, and without them, no document was legitimate. They are

extremely useful in providing us with information such as the ruler's name, title, the size of his

kingdom, the date of the document, the religion or dynasty to which he belonged, and the period

and era of the issuance. These seals also reveal the period's degree of cultural development.

HISTORY AND GRAPHOLOGY

Graphology is the science of assessing a person's character by analyzing his handwriting.

According toresearch, there is an undeniable link between a person's character and his

handwriting, which reveals what kind of person he is. When a graphologist examines a person's

handwriting, he should look at a few factors such as the material used for the writing, the writer's

location and position, and the circumstances in which the writing was done.

HISTORY AND ETHICS

History and ethics are inextricably linked. Although a real historian is not required to make

unique and sensitive judgments on historical events and individuals, he must be aware of the
ethical principles that impacted people's behaviour in the past. There was probably no accurate

ethical science in the past, and most of what came after were only a reflection of the prejudices,

partiality, and complexity of the many writers.

Scholars such as Stephen, Duprat, and Dewey have attempted to develop an ethical theory based

on biology, psychology, and sociology in recent years. There has developed a science of

behaviour. To have a broader perspective on the topic, a historian must grasp and grasp this

discipline of ethics.

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY

History and geography are widely acknowledged to be inextricably linked. In reality, it would be

almost impossible to study some fields of history without at least a fundamental understanding of

geography; for example, diplomatic or military history cannot be studied without a basic

understanding of the region's topography. One of history's eyes is geography, with the other

being chronology. The accurate perspective on history is provided by time and spatial

considerations.

Prof. Michelet believed that history was fundamentally based on geography. “People, the makers

of history, aspire to be wandering without a geographical basis,” he continues. “Geography

stands at the foundation of history,” remarked German philosopher Kant. “History is geography

in motion,

Herder stated. Others, such as American geographer Ells Worth Huntington and Allen Semple,

have emphasized the role of environment in shaping the path of history as well as race

temperament.
Many geographical variables helped the growth of the river in the valley, including climate,

society, rivers, mountains, sea, shoreline, and mineral resources. Early Egyptian, Mesopotamian,

Indian, and Chinese cultures. “Egypt is the gift of the Nile,” writes Herodotus, an early Greek

historian.

The impact of climate on man has been underlined by Aristotle and Montesquieu. The physical

development of countries with broken coasts, such as Britain, Japan, and Greece, had a

significant influence on their history. This helped them strengthen their naval forces and expand

their empire.

Similarly, the Himalayas and Assam's forests have served as barriers against incursions from

India's north and east. The Himalayas, as well as the Gobi and Mangolian deserts, are to blame

for China's isolation. Since the Renaissance, the nature of World History has been dictated by

geographical discoveries in America and a new path to India.

Geography also has a significant impact on the creation of national character and human

behaviour. As we all know, a country's climate has a significant impact on its civilization. As a

result, historians must have a strong understanding of geography. Accepting the restricted

interpretation of geographical effect on man's behaviour or history would be prudent.

CONCLUSION

The importance of an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and documenting man's

evolution cannot be overstated. Intellectual history has linkages to philosophy and psychology,

political science, and other fields, whereas social history has linkages to economics, sociology,
and anthropology. Because these fields have an impact on history, the study of history is

extremely valuable, especially to social scientists who are doing research or seeking a basic

understanding of man. It offers students a better understanding of the subject they're researching,

as well as the data they'll need to investigate any social or economic phenomena.