Archaeologyland! Society for American Archaeology

Archaeologyland!

Society for American Archaeology

"This set of hands-on, archaeology and cultural history-based activities is designed for archaeologists to use with the public at archaeology fairs and other non-formal classroom events. Each activity is laid out in 'recipe fashion' with directions about the minimum recommended age, a list of objectives about what the activity is trying to teach, and preparation and procedure steps -- including what materials need to be purchased or otherwise arranged for. Each activity has been successfully tested with children and each promotes a preservation message: How to report a find, how to protect a resource, and how to contact the State Historic Preservation Office. "

All activities are in PDF format.

• Organizing an event
• Visitor Orientation Information
• Activities
• Pottery Design Replication
• Ages 5+
• Use clay and incising tools to replicate ceramic designs.
• "Provides an introduction to artifact replication as a way of learning about past technology; introduces the terms "artifact" and "sherd"; introducaes the idea that archaeologists study small pieces of objects used in the past, not just whole, unbroken artifacts."
• Pottery Design Transfer
• Ages 7 +
• Use an ink transfer process to record pottery designs.
• "Provides an introduction to vocabulary- "arifact", "sherd", "context"; introduces ideas regarding what an artifact can "tell" archaeologists; introduces a technique that archaeologists use to record pottery decorations"
• The Archaeology Laboratory
• Ages 5+
• Measure, weigh, and draw artifacts or replicas of artifacts.
• "Provides an introduction to methods of measuring and weighing artifacts used in an artifact processing laboratory."
• The Cordage Site
• Ages 5+
• Make a cordage bracelet using raffia and a bead.
• "Provides an introduction to the making of cordage, and the preservation of perishable materials."
• The Pictograph Wall
• All
• Contribute to the production of a rock art panel by leaving a hand print.
• "Provides an introduction to how pictographs are produced and their significance as a means of communicating.. Also provides information on the preservation of rock art sites."
• The Pottery Village Site
• Ages 5+
• Color pot designs then cut them into "sherds" to make a pot puzzle.
• "Provides an introduction to cultures, pottery types, and pot sherds."