Objective: To introduce students to the basics of archaeology and to give them the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be an archaeologist.
Materials:
- A large cardboard box or sandpit
- A variety of small objects, such as toy tools, pottery fragments, and food scraps
- A shovel or trowel
- A paintbrush
- A magnifying glass
- A notebook and pencil
Procedure:
- Set up the excavation site by filling the box or sandpit with sand or dirt. Bury the small objects throughout the sand or dirt.
- Divide the students into groups of 2-3 students.
- Give each group an archaeologist kit, including a shovel or trowel, a paintbrush, a magnifying glass, a notebook, and a pencil.
- Explain to the students that they are going to be archaeologists and that their job is to excavate the site and uncover the buried objects.
- Have the students carefully excavate the site, using their tools to remove the sand or dirt.
- As the students uncover objects, have them use the magnifying glass to examine them closely. Encourage them to make notes about the objects in their notebooks, including their size, shape, and material.
- Once the students have uncovered all of the objects, have them discuss what they learned about the site and the people who lived there.
Extension activities:
- Have the students create a map of the excavation site, showing the location of each object they found.
- Have the students write a story about the people who lived at the excavation site, based on the objects they found.
- Have the students research the type of objects they found and create a presentation about their findings.
Differentiation:
- For younger students, you can simplify the activity by using larger objects and by providing more guidance during the excavation process.
- For older students, you can make the activity more challenging by burying the objects deeper and by providing less guidance during the excavation process.