Lesson 2: Archaeology

Wrapping Up

Conclusion

As you found, archaeology requires careful planning, attention to detail, meticulous record-keeping, and often a great deal of patience. Because of the hard work of archaeologists, we now know a great deal about people who lived in the distant past. In the rest of this unit, you'll be exploring the lives of people who lived in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. As you learn more about their lives, think about the research that was required to figure out what we now know about these people and their cultures.

Life Application

Archaeological expeditions have been the subject of many documentaries that your family might enjoy. Your public library or Internet movie rental service may also have documentary films related to archaeology from PBS, the BBC, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, or other sources. Ask a librarian for a recommendation, or work with a parent to choose a video about archaeology that your family can enjoy together. You may even be able to find some documentaries focused on Mesopotamia and Egypt! As you watch, be sure to notice the tools and techniques that archaeologists use and the kinds of questions that they ask in conducting their research.

Here are some videos to get you started.

Web Link

Digging Archaeology

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In this episode of the PBS Kids program Sci Girls, two girls have the chance to work with an archaeologist and learn about archaeology firsthand.

This link was verified on 10/11/2023.

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Web Link

What Is Archeology?

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This link was verified on 8/24/2023.

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Questions to Discuss

What do archaeologists do? (Your child should understand that archaeologists analyze artifacts to learn more about human history. She may offer additional details about the kinds of tools archaeologists use, the kinds of artifacts they uncover, and the challenges of archaeology.)
How do you think the environment of a dig location might influence the work of archaeologists? (Your child's answers will vary, but she may explain that extreme weather conditions make it difficult for archaeologists to work in some areas and that the environment — including weather, terrain, wildlife, etc. — may pose risks to archaeologists, their equipment, and the fragile artifacts they are trying to preserve.)
If you were an archaeologist, what kinds of things would you want to explore?

Things to Review

Look over your child's activity pages from Activity 2. If your child completed Option 1, check that her map is accurate. For both Option 1 and Option 2, your child's "Analyzing Artifacts" pages should include detailed descriptions and drawings of three artifacts with reasonable conclusions for each object about the materials used to make it, its uses, and its age. Your child's discussion of the people who used or made the object will vary depending on the artifacts your child chooses and her own ideas about them, but her arguments should be logical and supported by the available evidence.

Special Notes

Web Link

Archaeology Magazine

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For parents — this site from Archaeology Magazine provides links to websites about different ongoing digs. These sites often include field notes, journals, and other information from archaeologists. This site is not aimed at children, so you may wish to explore the site independently and then share anything that you find interesting and appropriate with your child.

This link was verified on 8/24/2023.

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Web Link

Intrigue of the Past

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If your child is especially interested in archaeology or you wish to extend this lesson, perhaps involving other children in your family in an exploration of archaeology, you may find "Intrigue of the Past: North Carolina's First Peoples" from the Research Laboratories of Archaeology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to be a helpful resource. While the lesson plans and teaching ideas are designed for a public school setting and the specific artifacts included are from North Carolina, there are a number of creative activities about the fundamental concepts, process of, and issues in archaeology that could readily be adapted to a homeschool setting and that are not focused exclusively on the native peoples of North Carolina.

This link was verified on 8/24/2023.

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Web Link

Archaeology for Kids from the National Park Service:

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This site includes online exploration opportunities, links to websites about archaeology, and recommendations for books, videos, and other resources.

This link was verified on 8/24/2023.

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Web Link

Archaeology in Your Area

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Scroll down and click your region of the United States to learn about archeological sites near you.

This link was verified on 4/25/2023.

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