Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Digging Into the Past

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students participate in an excavation simulation, and explore the ruins of Sardis. They ponder which clues scientists use to determine if artifacts found in the excavation are of Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, or Lydian origin.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Remains of the Day

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider how archaeologists discovered and pieced together artifacts that indicate a Celtic presence in ancient Turkey. They research ancient civilizations and create archaeological digs containing items representative of these...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Dawn of Humanity

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars investigate recent archaeological challenges to theories of human origins. They research the history and geography of various African regions to create proposals for future excavations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unearthing the Past

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze artifacts from an early society to determine information relating to daily life in that society. They consider which artifacts from our society would be most valuable to future archeologists.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We, the First People

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore new support regarding the earliest peopling of America by examining multiple theories on the migration of the first people to America, investigating related archaeological finds, and creating research-based scientific...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Daily Dig Checklist

For Students 3rd - 6th
If you are staging an archaeology or paleontology simulation, here is a checklist that you can post for your diggers. It lists reminders for how to prepare for the dig, as well as reminders for wrapping up. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Americas

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders compare artifacts used by archaeologists to theorize the first inhabitants of the Americas migrated from Asia across the Bering Land Bridge.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Saving the Past for the Future

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars discuss an archaeological dilemma. They write a paragraph about possible solutions to the problem.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Artifact Problem

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students work in small groups and make a map of a familiar room. In this artifact lesson plan, students decide on a suitable scale for their maps, the tools they will use and how they will make it and decide on strategies they would use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discover the science of archaeology

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners research archaeology. In this archaeology lesson, students conduct research about archaeology and one ancient culture. Learners write a magazine article about an archaeological dig.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Big Bones, Little Bones

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students investigate archeology. In this archeology lesson, students research the process of excavation. Students participate in a mock-excavation and sort objects by physical properties.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Personal Artifacts

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders put their observation skills to work. In this observation skills lesson, 9th graders examine personal artifacts that their instructor has gathered. Students take notes on the artifacts they analyze and write lab reports...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mysterious Coin Discovery

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine mysterious coins. In this historical observations lesson, 7th graders use the provided chart to record information about the coins their instructor presents to them. Students discuss their work as archaeologists.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Petroglyphs and Pictographs

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders make necklaces out of petroglyphs that they stamp into clay. In this petroglyphs lesson plan, 4th graders draw designs and explain where they come from as well.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Major Archaeological Discoveries of China in Recent Years

For Students 6th - 7th
In this archaeology of China worksheet, students complete a 12 page packet of activities and questions. Students learn about restoration of relics and the history and culture of China as revealed in archaeological artifacts. Questions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Fossilized Egg

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Young scholars explore fossils by participating in an in class experiment. For this archaeology lesson, students utilize dough and classroom objects to create fossil imprints after hiding the toy/fossil in the dough egg. Young scholars...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Archaeology: Merit Badge Workbook

For Students 5th - 6th
In this archaeology instructional activity, students complete seven pages of exercises. These questions about archaeology are to help Boy Scouts earn their merit badges.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lewis & Clark: A Scientific Journey

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students act as archaeologists. In this Lewis and Clark expedition lesson, students develop a list of questions that archaeologists might use to find the physical remains of the expedition and then use print and Internet sources to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forensics: Who Killed the Iceman?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore how archaeologist examine mummies. In this research based lesson, students work in groups to research two mummies and report their findings to the class through role-playing and using a model of the mummy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Design Archaeology

For Teachers K - 12th
Students participate in their own excavation and measure and record as they go. In this archaeology lesson students divide into groups and solve the mystery of what they uncovered in their dig box.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Archaeology and Prehistoric Native Americans

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars study the terms paleontology and archaeology and examine how they can help us learn about prehistoric Native Iowans.  In this archaeology lesson plan students discuss these terms and view a video on Native...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Social Scientists

For Students 9th - 12th
In this social scientist worksheet, students respond to 10 matching and short answer questions about the work of economists, archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, and political scientists.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do You Have a Sinking Feeling?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how marine archaeologists use data to draw inferences about shipwrecks.  In this marine archeology lesson students plot the position of a vessel, draw inferences about a shipwreck and explain the possible...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History, Artifacts, and Museums

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this historical artifacts lesson, 11th graders select and research historical topics that require them to interpret calendars, timelines,...