Dig into Archaeology!

Abstract

With archaeologists continually finding new pieces of the past, students will undoubtedly see and hear of new discoveries in the media. By using archaeology as a context for investigating past cultures and using science methods, teachers can capitalize on students' interests while still addressing concepts recommended (or required) for their curriculum. The following activities use everyday items as artifacts and will take you and your students through an authentic excavation experience.

Key Words:

• anthropology
• archaeology
• artifact
• dig
• excavation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cindy Brown

CINDY BROWN first became interested in archaeology while studying at the University of Michigan. Currently she is a program assistant in the education department at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. She works specifically in museum outreach education and develops activities and curricula for programs that travel to Los Angeles area schools. She is also interested in paleontology and volunteers in the museum Vertebrate Paleontology lab preparing fossils. SKYE WEAVER became fascinated with archaeology after a childhood discovery of a projectile point. She attended the University of Oregon and upon graduation spent several months on an excavation in the Samoan Islands. In her current role as outreach assistant at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, she develops activities and curricula for a variety of outreach programs. She really enjoys teaching students about archaeology at the annual museum summer camp.