# Accessing Block Hash

Block hashes are the cryptographic representations of a block's content. They encapsulate the entirety of a block's information, primarily its block header. When it comes to storage proofs, accessing the relevant block hash is the critical first step in affirming the integrity and authenticity of any on-chain data. It sets the stage for all subsequent verification processes in the [storage proof workflow](/herodotus-docs/developers/storage-proofs/workflow.md).

Smart contracts can retrieve these block hashes in various ways, each with its own trade-offs and considerations. Let’s explore some common methods:

### **Direct Access using EVM opcode**

<figure><img src="/files/snM6ziNr227owGr9uwzx" alt=""><figcaption><p>Ethereum Yellow Paper (<a href="https://ethereum.github.io/yellowpaper/paper.pdf">https://ethereum.github.io/yellowpaper/paper.pdf</a>)</p></figcaption></figure>

Smart contracts can natively utilize the **`BLOCKHASH`** opcode to fetch hashes of the most recent 256 blocks in the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). While straightforward, this method is restricted to a limited timeframe, and accessing older blocks becomes challenging.

This limitation prevents developers from injecting proofs of arbitrary on-chain data into their smart contracts, as they cannot easily verify inclusion proofs against historical block hashes.

### **Utilizing Third-Party Providers**

Alternately, an off-chain actor could forward block hashes on-chain. However, this approach introduces latency and usually requires trusting a third party, a committee or similar. Additionally, it potentially introduces vulnerabilities tied to economic incentives or adversarial behaviours.

### [**Historical Block Hash Accumulator**](/herodotus-docs/protocol-design/historical-block-hash-accumulator.md)

<figure><img src="/files/rE3ExPio3r0wXTZUAnYK" alt=""><figcaption><p>Merkle Mountain Range Accumulator Root</p></figcaption></figure>

The Historical Block Hash Accumulator can be used to circumvent these issues. It enables on-chain smart contracts to derive older block hashes by validating them against a stored accumulator root (MMR Root). The methodology eliminates the need to trust external actors and widens the accessible range of block hashes without sacrificing security.


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