A primary sources are original, first-hand records of a particular culture, event, or time period. These first-hand records can be contrasted with secondary sources (including many academic articles and books), which provide analysis or interpretation of primary source materials.
Primary sources include historical texts, inscriptions, artifacts, contemporary buildings, etc.
You can find many primary source materials via Library Search. Primary sources can also be found in Rose Library.
For more detailed information, see the Primary Sources Research Guide.