In recent decades, what has become a significant focus in historical investigations?
1) Art and cultural expressions of ancient societies
2) Histories of marginalized groups
3) Technological advancements of the past
4) Religious practices and rituals

Choose the correct answer from the given options:

2

Epigraphy, on its own, does not provide a comprehensive understanding of political and economic history. Historians continuously question both existing and newly discovered evidence to enrich their knowledge. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, scholars were primarily focused on the histories of kings. However, since the mid-twentieth century, there has been a shift towards exploring topics such as economic change and the emergence of various social groups, which gained more significance.

In recent decades, there has been a growing emphasis on investigating the histories of marginalized groups, leading to renewed interest in reevaluating old sources and the emergence of novel analytical approaches. This evolving perspective promises to yield fresh insights into historical narratives and encourage the development of innovative strategies for historical analysis.