How available sources shape the teaching of naval history

How far back can war studies and naval-history teaching go, and why not always start earlier?

As far back as evidence allows, but course design depends on having sources students at that level can use critically.

War studies can reach as far back as surviving evidence permits, including ancient Greek naval warfare. Undergraduate courses still need enough accessible scholarship and primary material for students to evaluate claims at their level. Archival work becomes more prominent later in an undergraduate program and during master's study. Doctoral research then requires substantially more independent work with the surviving sources.