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Activity page 2
You be the historian
1 Look at sources A – C, and using ONLY these images as evidence, decide if the following statements are
Probably true (T), Probably false (F), or Cannot be known from this evidence (?). In each case decide what
the best evidence is to support your conclusion, and why. One example has been done to help you.
Statement T F ? Best supporting evidence
The crossing was in 1813
A and B both say this
The crossing was made by three men
Blaxland was the leader
The crossing was difficult
They crossed the mountains to find new land
They were the first people to cross the Blue Mountains
This resulted in the spread of settlement in New South Wales
The explorers were proud of their achievement
This is an important moment in Australian history
The explorers were heroes
2 You have realised that the three sources agree on some things, but disagree on others. Why do you think
documents can disagree?
3 Why do you think these documents can only partially answer some of the questions in the table?
4 Which of these documents are you most likely to accept as the most accurate? Why?
5 Some additional questions that you would like to ask about the sources are:
6 Some additional questions that you would like to ask about the event are:
Congratulations! You have just become a historian, because you have:
> looked at a significant event in the past;
> identified some evidence about it;
> critically analysed or interrogated the evidence;
> compared sources;
> made judgements;
> come to conclusions;
> justified those conclusions;
> identified strengths and weaknesses in your knowledge and understanding;
> empathised with the people involved in the event; and
> realised that you need to explore further to reach a final conclusion.
And that’s what this unit does — it helps you to explore the crossing of the Blue Mountains in more detail, and
to improve your knowledge, understanding and empathetic awareness of the event.
In doing so, you will be introduced to some myths and mysteries associated with the event. By considering the
evidence you will be able to ‘bust’ or confirm these myths, and solve some mysteries.
Historical inquiry always involves some key questions:
> What?
> When?
> How?
> Who?
> Why?
> Impacts or consequences?
> Significance?
> Whose perspective is being presented?
Your task at the end will be to answer these questions for the 1813 crossing of the Blue Mountains.
Use the table on the next page to summarise information and ideas as you work through the evidence.
Myths and Mysteries of the Crossing of the Blue Mountains
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