How did historians learn about the people of ancient times?

Why does Peter tear off the Star of David sewn onto his clothes? When Did the Romans celebrate the New Year? What stayed the same after the black death? Who was John Brown and what did he do? What were the intolorable acts and how did colonists react to that? How is the MLB playoff bracket set up? Do the soldiers that have died go to heaven? Where did Blowing a hooligan derive from? What contribution did Lewis Latimer make to the railroad industry? What is the reason for founding colonial Rhode Island? How would politics change in this area of the Middle East if an independent Kurdistan were formed? What does the name Miguelina mean? When did England first claim Georgia? How many zip codes does the pentagon have? What kinds of plants were traded on the silk road? Where did the phrase red haired step child come from? in which area was the Progressives unsuccessful? What are some techniques Harper Lee uses to show courage in To Kill a Mockingbird? What role did autherine Lucy play in the civil rights movement? What does Paine say will make America a happy place?