Archaeology Lesson Plans

Students identify what and how to complete an Archaeological excavation is conducted. They identify the transition from one layer to the next more easily if the colors of the layers are different. When creating a dig, the teacher should compress the soil layers as much as possible to mimic the harder layers on a real site. Finally, students analyze the dig site and test their assumptions, some surface finds should be visible to indicate the nature of the site.

In this lesson learners examine marine archaeology. In this archaeological data lesson, learners see how archaeologists use data to make inferences about shipwrecks. In this lesson learners read data and make their own inferences, write about marine life and artifacts found at shipwreck sites. In this lesson learners explore online sites and summarize their findings.

Students, in groups, examine in depth one aspect of forensic archaeology to determine the skeleton's age, gender, and possible cause of death. To do so, students must first explain what is involved in each aspect of forensic archaeology.

Learners tackle the problem of saving archaeological sites from destruction.

Learners identify the composition of a soil sample. In this archaeology lesson, learners describe the different soil layers formed in their activity. They explain how this pattern help archaeologists evaluate soil types.

In this lesson students list at least five different kinds of artifacts archaeologists have found in U.S. excavations. They cite artifacts when describing life at a particular archaeological site.

In this lesson students simulate an archaeological dig by by carefully recording and sketching the position of "artifacts" found in a search grid. They work in small groups to number and chart modern artifacts such as paper clips and staplers that have been placed in a grid section on the classroom floor.

Students explore how an archaeologist works and makes discoveries. In this archaeology lesson, students participate in a simulation in which they excavate broken pottery. Students use measurement, geometry, and observation skills during this lesson.

Students complete activities with Dig magazine October 2008 issue. In this deductive reasoning lesson, students read articles pertaining to forensic science, CSI, and archaeology. They answer questions and complete activities. 

Learners identify and interpret both individual families and whole cultures learn about their pasts by collecting and analyzing stories and artifacts. Then they identify that not all archaeological finds readily reveal their history to archeologists. Learners also contribute a written story to a class anthology of oral literature involving a student's family directly or should touch on an important theme, event, or explanation in a student's cultural group.