So, You Want to Be an Archaeologist:

 

Lesson plan created by: Steven Prince, St. Joseph High School, St. Joseph, Michigan
 

Grades 9-12

 

NEH Summer Institute for Teachers 2009:

“Daily Life in Ancient Times: Archaeology of Israel and Jordan”

 

 

Learning Objectives:  As an introduction to career opportunities in the various fields of archaeology, students will do the following:

             

  1. Learn about the procedures involved in conducting an archaeological excavation.
  2. Learn about the varied skill sets and specialties need to conduct an archaeological excavation.
  3. Investigate the qualifications and responsibilities for one specialist involved in an archaeological excavation.
  4. Research an on-going archaeological excavation.
  5. Contact an archaeologist and submit a list of self-generated questions to the archaeologist.

 

World Language Benchmarks (Michigan Merit Curriculum):

 

5.2.N.c:  Identify careers where skills in another language or cross-cultural understanding are needed.

 

5.2.M.c:  Investigate and present information to others about careers where skills in another language or cross-cultural understanding are needed.

 

Materials:  Computer and access to the internet; 20th Century Culture Survey worksheets; laminated images from the 20th century; terra cotta flower pots, paint, brushes, masking tape, glue, brown paper grocery bags, etc.

 

 

Vocabulary:

 

Archaeobotanist

Architect/artist/photographer

artifact

ceramic technologist

computer technician

dendrochronologist

ethnoarchaeologist

experimental archaeologist

forensic archaeologist

geologist

ground penetrating radar/global positioning specialist

linguist (ancient languages especially)

numismatist

statistician

translator (modern languages especially)

zooarchaeologist

 

 

Time needed: 5 class periods + time outside of class to conduct research and contact archaeologists.

 

Teaching Activities:

Day 1

 

  1. Show video clip of the beginning of the movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and discuss the idealized vision of archaeology versus the realistic world of archaeology.
  2. Discuss the term “artifact,” and do Stephanie Elkins’ lesson, “Introduction to Archaeology and Art Artifacts.”

 

Day 2

 

  1. Have the class brainstorm about what artifacts could be found at an ancient archaeological excavation.
  2. Introduce the many different specialties and occupations connected to archaeology.

 

Day 3

 

  1. Have students research one of the above occupations.  Depending upon class size, the students may have to work in pairs or small groups.
  2. Have students research an on-going excavation.
  3. Have students compile a list of questions that they would like to submit to an actual archaeologist.  For example, the students might want to know where the archaeologist got his/her training and what degree is necessary to pursue this specialty.  The students should submit these questions to the teacher for approval before submitting them to the archaeologist.

 

Days 4 & 5 (time and curriculum permitting)

 

Do Jeanne DelColle’s lesson plan, “Getting to Know You:  Pottery Painting and Reconstruction.”

 

Evaluation:  Quiz over basic terms and/or written evaluation of lesson.

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