Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Decoding the Past: The Work of Archaeologists

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Through this study, learners will think like an archaeologist, and move towards a better understanding of our world by taking a look back at civilizations of the past.
Lesson Plan
University of Chicago

Oriental Institute: Clues From the Past: How to Read an Artifact [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
A great lesson plan to help students read artifacts and relate them to people, places, and societies.
Website
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Discovering the Past/ an Introduction to Archaeology

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a good, solid, but concise introduction to what archaeology is, how a site is set up, what one uses artifacts for, and how to approach a site. It is written for the teacher's newsletter from Colonial Williamsburg.
Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Archaeology for Interpreters

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Park Service provides a guide for new interpreters--that can also be readily understood by students--to learn archeological methods, how archeological interpretations are made, and how to encourage concern for the...
Website
Other

Millarville Archaeology

For Students 3rd - 8th
The Grade 4 and 5 students involved in this project explored the history of Millarville, Alberta, an oil boom town in the 1940s. In the process, they interviewed residents and local historians, learned how to 'read' artifacts and...
Article
Archaeological Institute of America

Archaeology: The Modern Sack of Nineveh

For Students 9th - 10th
An article about stolen Assyrian artifacts. It has many links to photos of Assyrian art and architecture, along with detailed images and illustrations.
Lesson Plan
Other

Division of Archaeology: Activity Guides

For Teachers K - 1st
Find lesson plans for elementary and middle school students that include archaelogy activities for sites primarily in Louisiana. Take a look at the life of Archaic period Mound Builders, and find many examples of artifacts.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Traces: Historic Archaeology

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Excellent lesson plans that challenge students to consider every day uses for artifacts. Site provides an analysis worksheet that will help students consider the importance of artifacts in understanding historical people. Links to sites...
Handout
BBC

Bbc: History: An Introduction to Marine Archaeology

For Students 9th - 10th
A very good introduction to the discipline. Provides details on how it is different from land-based archaeology, how wreck sites are investigated, issues regarding "treasure" wrecks, conservation, and much more.
Lesson Plan
Discovery Education

Discovery Education: What Artifacts Reveal About the Past

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
This site provides a lesson plan to teach the importance of analyzing artifacts, past and present.
Activity
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Activity: Social Status, Power, and Human Burials

For Students 9th - 10th
This activity provides you with an opportunity to start thinking about the impact that farming can have on the way humans live and relate to each other. It will also allow you to think about the kinds of questions archaeologists and...
Website
PBS

Pbs Teachers:neanderthals on Trial: Dig and Deduce

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine methods archeologists use to interpret evidence and deduce what the evidence in uncovered bones and artifacts suggests about life in the Paleolithic era.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Rome Reborn: The Vatican Library and Renaissance Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
This exhibition includes information and artifacts from the Vatican Library regarding archaeology, humanism, mathematics, music, medicine, nature, and more.
Website
Other

Sfu Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology: Hola Canada

For Students 9th - 10th
An extraordinary collection of resources relating to the ancient heritage of Latin America. Includes detailed information and images of artifacts, educator resources, and much more.
Website
BBC

Bbc: What Can We Learn From Indus Valley Artefacts?

For Students 4th - 6th
The Indus River Valley civilization left no pyramids, statues, or temples, so how can we learn about their day to day life? Smaller artifacts such as toys, writing on clay, jewelry, and burial sites help archeologists tell the story of...
Website
Other

University of Tennessee: Archaeology and the Native Peoples of Tennessee

For Students 9th - 10th
Lots of pictures make this an easy-to-understand site on the indigenous peoples of Tennessee beginning with the Paleoindian Period to the present. Culture, homes, history, and artifacts are discussed.
Interactive
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: Dirt Detective

For Students 1st - 5th
Archaeologists study artifacts and soil and they use post holes to determine just how old the layers of soil is. Based on the location of post holes, archaeologists can determine if they are finding a house, or a wall or even a fort....
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Coming Into America: Dating Artifacts 9 12 [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Investigate new discussions on the presence of humans in North America, and emulate the work of archeologists in dating artifacts at a dig site. Use clay to model how the radioactive isotope of carbon (C14) is used in dating organic...
Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Florida's Shipwrecks: 300 Years of Maritime History

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the maritime history of Florida through its shipwrecks. Site includes list of shipwreck sites, maps of shipwrecks, and extensive history.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Egypt's Pyramids: Monuments With a Message

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Take a trip back in time with this exciting lesson plan! Explore the Egyptian pyramids with the wealth of resources presented on this site. Provides links to information, photos, and much more!
Website
PBS

Pbs: Scientific American Frontiers: Unearthing Secret America

For Students 9th - 10th
The fun part of history is finding the clues that unlock the secrets of the past. This is the companion site to the TV show with Alan Alda that features archeological discoveries. Students will find interesting lessons from the past on...
Website
PBS

Nova: Dig and Deduce

For Students 9th - 10th
This simulation will give you the chance to be an archaeologist and do some field research on Neanderthal artifacts. Dig up the bones and then interpret the evidence.
Interactive
PBS

Pbs Teachers:death at Jamestown: Explore Jamestown

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the places, events and people associated with the Lost Colony of Jamestown with this interactive timeline and map. Examine artifacts and remains excavated by archeologists and learn what conclusions can be drawn from them.
Primary
Other

The Papyri Pages

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive resource that focuses on topics relating to ancient Egyptian papyrus and the history and archaeology of books and writing.