Since 2017, Module 2 of the Czech national research evaluation system (Methodology 2017+) has been based on the bibliometric analysis of articles indexed by the multidisciplinary database Web of Science (WoS) and which were also assigned an Article Influence Score (AIS) value. This competition has exposed the humanities to new challenges as the articles with an impact factor are not the main, or the only, publishing channel. Using several perspectives, we analysed the publication performance of the data in the FORD 6.1 – History and archaeology – to verify the possibilities of bibliometrics and to gain the necessary context for the current results of the national evaluation. Contrary to widespread belief, we are convinced that bibliometrics can be applied to the humanities provided the appropriate approach is applied. According to our findings from the period 2015–2019, the discipline proved to be strongly interlinked and have shown increasing coverage in the WoS, international cooperation and representation in journals with an impact factor. At the same time, they also use WoS journals without an impact factor (AHCI, ESCI) and other publishing channels outside the WoS. Research evaluation should respect context, diversity of different fields and not apply mechanisms that favour certain disciplines and discriminate against others. Misinterpretation due to inappropriately set criteria could have serious consequences for designing research strategies. At the same time, strategies should not be based on incorrect or outdated assumptions, thus preserving historical publishing patterns. This prevents international communication concerning results in the humanities, which have great potential.