Archaeology for Kids
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Archaeology for Kids: Getting Kids Interested
Archaeology is a great way to get kids interested in the past to see how people lived.
Part scientist, part detective, archaeologists solve mysteries and answer age old questions.
But what exactly does an archaeologist do and how can you help kids understand the importance of archaeology?
Find links to teaching resources, lesson plans and other Archaeological activities for kids below.
What is archaeology?
Why is archaeology important?
The images on this page are all my own unless otherwise noted.
Part scientist, part detective, archaeologists solve mysteries and answer age old questions.
But what exactly does an archaeologist do and how can you help kids understand the importance of archaeology?
Find links to teaching resources, lesson plans and other Archaeological activities for kids below.
What is archaeology?
Why is archaeology important?
The images on this page are all my own unless otherwise noted.
What is Archaeology the Study of?
Archaeology is ...
OxfordDictionaries.com: the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains.Merriam-Webster.com: the scientific study of material remains (as fossil relics, artifacts, and monuments) of past human life and activities.
What Is Archaeology?
What do archaeologists do?
A wonderful video on what archaeology is, what archaeologist really do, and how to become one.
Fantastic for kid of all ages. Watch this video.
What the heck do archaeologists really do? Though you may not find many fedoras, whips, and (for the most part) mummies, archaeology is still a romantic, exciting, and interesting endeavor. Faith Haney, creator of the video below.
Fantastic for kid of all ages. Watch this video.
What the heck do archaeologists really do? Though you may not find many fedoras, whips, and (for the most part) mummies, archaeology is still a romantic, exciting, and interesting endeavor. Faith Haney, creator of the video below.
curated content from YouTube
...and who knows, maybe one day an archaeologist will be studying something you left behind.
... Faith Haney
Archaeology Activity for kids.
Educational Activities for Kids
In 100 years, what could an archaeologist learn about you?What would still be around to discover about you in 100 years? What would have decomposed?
How would they know what you ate? How would they find out how you lived? Would they be able to learn about your beliefs?
Hands-On Archaeology: Real-Life Activities for Kids
Archaeology: Grades 4-10
Hands-On Archaeology: Real-Life Activities for Kids
Amazon Price: $11.91 (as of 05/30/2012)
Written by renowned archaeologist John White, Ph.D., this book shows any teacher or parent how to help kids become young archaeologists. Imagine the thrill students will experience as they discover artifacts from the past. There isn't a single student who won't love the activities in this book!
From creating simulated archaeology digs in the classroom to digs in the community, this book is a how-to for teaching archaeology. Of equal importance is that while learning the discipline of archaeology, students will be acquiring skills in math, biology, geology, art, geography, history, and language skills, as well as motor, social, and conceptual skills.
Hands-On Archaeology shows teachers everything they will need to help students conduct real-life archaeological digs. Packed with activities, this book first offers small-scale activities that can easily be conducted in the classroom using everyday materials. Then, the author takes kids out if the school to an empty lot in the community. Students will not just learn about archaeology-they will be archaeologists!
Grades 4-10
Why is Archaeology Important
My short answer: Archaeology allows us to visit the past. By studying towns and villages from the previous generations, we can see how people lived and we can learn about their culture. When we learn about past civilizations, we learn about ourselves. Archaeology can help us understand why different cultures value different ideas and traditions.
However, the best answer I have ever found to this question is at the history.utah.gov site below.
However, the best answer I have ever found to this question is at the history.utah.gov site below.
- What is Archaeology? And Other Common Questions.
- Kevin Jones and Ron Rood, state archaeologists, tell you everything you ever wanted to know.
Why is archaeology important?
"It helps us understand humanity-ourselves--better.
It helps us see what all of us have in common-and can help people have more understanding and compassion for those who are different in some way.
It shows us the long view-how cultures survived, thrived, and collapsed. It shows us how we got to where we are today. It builds our memory as a species.
By showing us the mistakes ancient people made-like, for example, destroying the ecosystems that sustained them-it can help us avoid making the same mistakes."
Shoebox Dig
Simulated dig for classrooms when teaching archaeology to kids
This simulated dig is great for all ages. The simulated archaeological dig can be kept basic for younger children, perhaps by including a story, or it can become more advanced for an older group of children.
- Transparent Shoebox Dig Lesson Plan
- Lesson plan from the Archaeological Institute of America - The shoebox dig is created in a transparent plastic box with a lid, the sort that can be bought at a department store.
The teacher tells a story about two or more cultures, and the students help create the layers and deposit the artifacts representing the cultures. - Closed Shoebox Dig Lesson Plan
- A similar lesson plan from the Archaeological Institute of America. This dig uses a closed shoebox instead of a transparent shoebox for the simulated dig.
- Archaeological Institute of America homepage
- Go straight to the Archaeological Institute of America's homepage to find more resources on archaeology.
What are the Different Types of Archaeology?
Different answers on each site. Archaeology is a very diverse field.
- Buzzle.com - Different Types of Archaeology
- Archaeology is classified into different types, depending upon scope and method of study. Read on to learn more... Different Types of Archaeology.
- Thinkquest.org - Other Types of Archaeology
- The discovery of archaeological sites and artifacts can be separated into three types: 1) planned; 2) accidental; and 3) rescue. A planned excavation occurs when an archaeologist does background research ...
- BBC - History: Types of Archaeology
- Insights and introductions to the work of history's forensic experts - the archaeologists.
Do Archaeologists study Dinosaur Fossils?
No.
Paleontologists study dinosaur fossils.
Archaeology Lesson Plans
Archaeology for kids.
- Core Knowledge - Second Grade
- This hands-on archaeology unit incorporates the Core Knowledge areas of social studies, science mathematics, and language arts for early elementary gifted students.
- Science NetLinks: Learn to Think Like an Archaeologist. Grade 6 - 8
- To introduce students to thinking like an archaeologist by having them analyze and interpret artifacts from different time periods to simulate how archaeologists learn about people of the past.
- Archaeology Lesson Plans
- 6 Archaeology Lesson Plans
- Analyzing Artifacts - Grade 5, 6, 7
- These lesson plans are the result of the work of the teachers who have attended the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshop.
- Classroom Archaeology: An Archaeology Activity Guide for Teachers - Middle School
- Free 116 page Activity Guide.
- Shoebox Archaeolgy - Grade 4 - 8
- The learner will develop an ability to assemble clues and decipher various indicators concerning one person's life and family background. In this way, he or she will develop and understanding of the way in which present day archaeologists "dig" for the unlocking of our past.
- Smithsonian Education - Lesson 1
- Archaeological Thinking
Dig Magazine
Buy a subscription to Dig Magazine
Dig is packed with mummies, pyramids, new discoveries about ancient civilizations, and more. Dig gives kids ages 9 to above (grades 4 and up) the latest scoop on archaeology around the world and explains how ancient ideas shape our world today.
Dig
Amazon Price: $33.95 (as of 05/30/2012)
Archaeology Games and Activities
Archaeology - Online Games
Fun Archaeology Information for Kids
- Colonial Williamsburg - Kids - Games & Activities - Dirt Detective, Junior Archaeologist
- Think like an archaeologist. What kinds of things make up a layer of soil where you live?
- Dig Deeper Quiz
- Test your knowledge of ancient history and archaeology.
- Divers Quest
- Explore the perils of the deep and discover the treasure.
- Hunt the Ancestor
- Complete your dig before the developers move in.
Archeological Excavation Tour - Insider's Look # 52
A look at an archeological dig at the Grand Canyon.
curated content from YouTube
Archaeology Books for Kids
Good Online Archaeological Sites for Kids
- PAStexplorers
- The British Museum Archaeological website. This site has a HUGE resource for teachers as well as games and articles on archaeology.
- Dig - The archaeology magazine for kids!
- A children's magazine on archaeology from the Cobblestone Publishing, produced in cooperation with the Archaeological Institute of America. Quizzes, fun facts, contest and more!
- Colonial Williamsburg - Kids Section
- Colonial Williamsburg - Archaeology for Kids
- Royal Ontario Museum
- Online Archaeological Activities
- Kids Dig Reed - Homepage
- Learn about the Reed Farmstead Archaeological Site in east West Virginia. Warning, turn your speakers down, there is a talking cow!
- NPS Archeology Program: Archeology for Kids
- For Kids introduces kids to what archeology is and what archeologists do.
- MrDonn.org - Archaeology for Kids
- Lesson plans and information for teachers.
- Kids.Net.Au - Encyclopedia > Archaeology
- Kids.Net.Au is a search engine / portal for kids, children, parents, and teachers. The site offers a directory of child / kids safe websites, encyclopedia, dictionary, thesaurus, language translator, teaching resources, games, kids toys / marketplace, parent's forum, teacher's forum, kids radio, bus
Dig & Play Excavation Archaeological Set.
Mystic Egyptian Tomb
4M Dig and Play Egyptian Tomb
Amazon Price: $11.31 (as of 05/30/2012)
* Mystic Egyptian Tomb Dig & Play Excavation Archaeological Set.
* Dig and find out the treasures buried in the mysterious Egyptian tomb.
* Play a Pyramid Adventure game afterwards with your friends and family.
* Contains plaster block with mummy case, treasures, game checkers and dice, specially designed digging tool, large game sheet; detailed digging instructions and game rules.
* Great gift idea, presented in gift box as pictured.
Lens Love Widget
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Please leave your comments for others to dig through and discover.
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aesta1
Apr 14, 2012 @ 7:20 am | delete
- Kids love archaeology. I liked digging when I was a kid to find out little things buried under the ground.
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ismeedee
Mar 9, 2012 @ 3:57 pm | delete
- I searched for this lens because my Six year old just announced recently, 'I want to be an Archaeologist.' and quite frankly it makes sense. He's very engineering/science/history and maths- minded, so it would bring together all of his favourite things! He loves visiting the local tin mine visitor centre and the Maritime museum. I think there is loads on this lens that will interest him!!!
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oxfordian
Dec 10, 2011 @ 10:03 pm | delete
- Wonderful lens. Thanks. It's a great read.
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23squidoo
Nov 24, 2011 @ 4:56 pm | delete
- Great information here - Angel Blessings!
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vishaldogra
Sep 1, 2011 @ 6:54 pm | delete
- Congrats!
That your lens has been selected as lens of the day.
I am new to this site and by learning your lens I have learnt really that how my lens should be in future.
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Donnette
Aug 26, 2011 @ 1:56 pm | delete
- I am loving your lenses, thank you.
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Stazjia
Aug 14, 2011 @ 5:32 am | delete
- I am absolutely fascinated by archaeology. It seems incredible that we can see and touch things that our ancesters saw and touched maybe a thousand years ago or more. Blessed.
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AngelDey
Aug 11, 2011 @ 9:55 pm | delete
- Another great lens. You have a lot of great information here that will help us make our history lessons more exciting. Thanks.
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RMKK
Aug 9, 2011 @ 9:51 am | delete
- As a family, we have visited several excavated sites which have helped us to use our imaginations and discover the rich history that came before - Poverty Point, Mesa Verda, Choco Canyon, Dinosaur National Park... We homeschool and I have bookmarked your lens for future reference. Thank You!
~Marlene
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MichaelTJones
Jul 29, 2011 @ 4:09 am | delete
- This is really something we should teach to our kids.
Especially because of the lost history of humans before the last ice age and insufficient knowledge about those lost civilizations.
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purpleladymom
Jul 28, 2011 @ 2:05 am | delete
- I love your lens. Please check out mine about a dig in Niles, MI. It is near my home and I am part of a group called "Support the Fort" http://www.squidoo.com/Fort_St_Joseph_Niles_MI
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fanfreluche Jun 24, 2011 @ 1:04 pm | delete
- Archaeology is fun and not jusr for kids!
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CruiseReady May 11, 2011 @ 10:41 pm | delete
- This is such a cool idea! I just know kids would be fascinated with the topic. The shoebox projects are neat, too.
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javrsmith
Apr 12, 2011 @ 5:12 pm | delete
- Kids that are interested should be encouraged to study archeology.
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