Discovering Past Lifeways

Abstract

The presentation involves students in a hands-on analysis of artifacts to create a time line of their local area's past societies. This exercise is more of a unit rather than a one-time activity. Procedures, ideas, and background for developing your own unit are presented in this article. The purpose of this unit is to engage students in applying the scientific method to archaeological research. Students will gain experience in designing and conducting their own investigations.

Key Words:

• Archaeology/archeology
• scientific method
• inquiry
• problem-based
• integrated curriculum
• hands-on

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Constance Arzigian

BONNIE L. CHRISTENSEN is the director of public education for Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She is the Society for American Archaeology's network coordinator for Wisconsin and the Bureau of Land Management's project archaeology coordinator for Wisconsin. Christensen is a former precollegiate instructor with training in archaeology and has spent the last fifteen years in archaeological education. Christensen has published and made presentations in both educational and archaeological venues. DR. CONSTANCE ARZIGIAN is the laboratory director for the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center and adjunct professor for the Archaeological Studies Program, both at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She received her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has worked in Wisconsin archaeology for the last 25 years. She specializes in the study of prehistoric subsistence systems and the analysis of ancient plant remains. She has worked extensively in both archaeological research as well as public, precollegiate, and teacher education.