Apprentice archaeologists - the Ancient World
SCHEDULE FOR THE APPRENTICE ARCHAEOLOGISTS PROGRAM
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SESSION
Introduction Pick an archaeologist's brain! Break Micro-activity session That's a wrap! |
DURATION
10 minutes 10 minutes 5 minutes 80 minutes 10 minutes |
DESCRIPTION
Students view a short i-Movie which explains the fundamentals of archaeology such as how archaeologists investigate the past, what fieldwork is, what we find, how and why we study artefacts and what happens to artefacts after we have finished studying them. Q & A session with an archaeologist where students may ask any questions they have about archaeology. Students will also be regaled with stories and images of Melissa's own excavation experiences such as excavating pottery workshops, stinky Roman toilets, encountering tomb robbers from 4000 years ago and being chased off-site by wild donkeys! Students have a break to stretch their legs and have a drink. In small groups of 3-4, students participate in four archaeological micro-activities (15 minutes per activity) from a series of activity stations (listed below). There is a 5 minute transition time between activities. Students gather together again to discuss what they have learned about archaeology. |
In the 15 minute micro-activity session, students will participate in a range of archaeological activities which could include any of the following:
Under the Microscope: In this introduction to the role of science in archaeology, students will first be given a bucket of soil which they will have to wet sieve and use flotation to recover botanical remains. They will then examine nuts and seeds under the microscope just as archaeologists do to identify ancient plant remains.
Don't get caught knapping: Students learn about of the most ancient of technologies, stone tool making, and use experimental techniques to make flake stone tools and grind up grains on grinding stones. Through this activity, students will be introduced to the concept of experimental archaeology.
Schoolyard survey: A designated area of the school yard will be set up as a survey area, and students will have to collect the 'artefacts' they find on the ground. What patterns of behaviour will they be able to reconstruct?
Fit for a queen: Using reconstructions of ancient jewellery, students will make their own reconstructions of ancient bead necklaces using materials to string them that tribal societies still use today.
Seal the deal: Students examine replicas of ancient cylinder seals, cuneiform tablets and Roman coins whose information can reveal so much about ancient times. Students will experiment with different recording methods such as plasticine impressions, tracing on clear film, crayon and charcoal rubbings to try and decipher these ancient messages.
Piecing together the puzzle: Cleaning is not a child's most favourite of jobs, but in this activity, students will learn the importance of archaeological conservation by cleaning bronzes, jewellery and pottery. They will also try to reconstruct pots piece by piece!
Tools of the trade: Students match the specialist (and non-specialist) tools of the archaeologist with their function cards. They must then put both their imaginative and practical hats on to design their own 'Ultimate Archaeologist's Super Tool'. Can it help an archaeologist in every situation?
Making the archaeological record: In this fun game, students use instruction cards to add and take away artefacts from a site as it is subject to disturbance, re-use, natural disasters and the like. In this way they can see how archaeological sites are formed, and when they change over time, how we can get a very different picture of the past.
Archaeology goes digital: Students have fun playing with some carefully chosen archaeological games and simulations that are available in the digital realm.
What was that thing again?: Using their acute powers of observation, students examine and record a variety of artefacts by description and drawings using standard archaeological recording proformas.
That thing belongs in a museum!: Students prepare display cards and choose and arrange artefacts to create a museum display. But will the public like it?
For more information about any aspect of this program ask Melissa using our Contacts page
Under the Microscope: In this introduction to the role of science in archaeology, students will first be given a bucket of soil which they will have to wet sieve and use flotation to recover botanical remains. They will then examine nuts and seeds under the microscope just as archaeologists do to identify ancient plant remains.
Don't get caught knapping: Students learn about of the most ancient of technologies, stone tool making, and use experimental techniques to make flake stone tools and grind up grains on grinding stones. Through this activity, students will be introduced to the concept of experimental archaeology.
Schoolyard survey: A designated area of the school yard will be set up as a survey area, and students will have to collect the 'artefacts' they find on the ground. What patterns of behaviour will they be able to reconstruct?
Fit for a queen: Using reconstructions of ancient jewellery, students will make their own reconstructions of ancient bead necklaces using materials to string them that tribal societies still use today.
Seal the deal: Students examine replicas of ancient cylinder seals, cuneiform tablets and Roman coins whose information can reveal so much about ancient times. Students will experiment with different recording methods such as plasticine impressions, tracing on clear film, crayon and charcoal rubbings to try and decipher these ancient messages.
Piecing together the puzzle: Cleaning is not a child's most favourite of jobs, but in this activity, students will learn the importance of archaeological conservation by cleaning bronzes, jewellery and pottery. They will also try to reconstruct pots piece by piece!
Tools of the trade: Students match the specialist (and non-specialist) tools of the archaeologist with their function cards. They must then put both their imaginative and practical hats on to design their own 'Ultimate Archaeologist's Super Tool'. Can it help an archaeologist in every situation?
Making the archaeological record: In this fun game, students use instruction cards to add and take away artefacts from a site as it is subject to disturbance, re-use, natural disasters and the like. In this way they can see how archaeological sites are formed, and when they change over time, how we can get a very different picture of the past.
Archaeology goes digital: Students have fun playing with some carefully chosen archaeological games and simulations that are available in the digital realm.
What was that thing again?: Using their acute powers of observation, students examine and record a variety of artefacts by description and drawings using standard archaeological recording proformas.
That thing belongs in a museum!: Students prepare display cards and choose and arrange artefacts to create a museum display. But will the public like it?
For more information about any aspect of this program ask Melissa using our Contacts page