What defines a peasant in historical terms?

A peasant, in historical context, is primarily defined as a person who does farm work for wealthy landowners. This role typically involves cultivating land for agriculture and producing food primarily for subsistence, although peasants may also pay rents or provide services to landowners. Throughout history, especially in feudal societies, peasants formed the agricultural backbone of the economy and were often tied to the land they worked, sometimes having limited rights or autonomy.

In contrast, the other options describe roles that do not align with the traditional understanding of a peasant. A skilled craftsperson would typically engage in specialized trades, creating goods rather than solely being involved in agriculture. Someone who buys and sells goods refers to merchants or traders, who play a completely different economic role compared to peasants. Finally, an expert who studies past societies is known as a historian or archaeologist, which disconnects from the direct agricultural labor that characterizes a peasant's life. Therefore, the definition of a peasant is distinctly linked with agricultural labor and land tenure in historical societies, making that option the correct choice.