Fact-Checking Policy

We take factual accuracy seriously. This page explains how we verify the claims in our articles and how we handle the uncertainty that is inherent to the study of history.

How we verify claims

Before an article is published, key factual claims are checked against the sources cited. ✏️ Describe your real process — e.g. cross-referencing each significant claim against at least one reputable source, and flagging claims that cannot be supported for revision or removal.

Our source hierarchy

When sources disagree, we generally weight them in this order:

1. Primary sources — original texts, inscriptions, artifacts, and contemporaneous records.
2. Peer-reviewed academic scholarship — university-press books and journal articles.
3. Authoritative reference works and institutions — major encyclopedias, museums, and universities.

We avoid relying on user-generated content, unsourced claims, or low-quality aggregators as the basis for factual statements.

Dates and naming conventions

We use the BCE/CE convention for dates. For events whose dates are debated, we indicate approximate dating (for example, “c.” for circa) rather than implying false precision. Place and personal names follow widely recognized scholarly usage, with common alternates noted where helpful.

Handling uncertainty and disagreement

History is not always settled. Where reputable scholars disagree, or where the evidence is thin, we aim to:

• Present the range of credible interpretations rather than a single one.
• Distinguish established fact from inference, tradition, or legend.
• Avoid stating contested claims as if they were undisputed.

Sources and citations

Many articles include a References / Further Reading section. We encourage readers to consult these sources directly and to evaluate the evidence for themselves.

Reporting an error

If you spot something that looks wrong, please tell us — reader feedback makes our content better. See our Corrections Policy for how we handle and label corrections, or contact us directly.

Related standards

This policy sits alongside our Editorial Policy, which covers authorship, review, and editorial independence.