Teaching
Archaeology
The following article is from the Office of Educational Research and
Improvement which is part of the Department of Education.
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How could handchipped stones, ancient ruins, old broken dishes, and
antiquated garbage help students learn about the world and themselves?
Within archaeology, these seemingly irrelevant items can enlighten
students about the world around them through science, culture, and
history. By using archaeology in the classroom, educators can lead
students on learning adventures while engaging them in thinking about life
in the past and who we are as humans today. This Digest discusses (1) the
discipline of archaeology, (2) archaeology in the classroom, and (3)
resources for teaching archaeology.
THE DISCIPLINE OF ARCHAEOLOGY.
Archaeology is one of four subfields of anthropology; the others are
cultural anthropology, linguistics, and physical anthropology.
Archaeology is the scientific study of past human cultures through
their physical remains. By studying the remains of objects people created
in the past, archaeologists can understand how those people lived and
interacted with each other. Prehistoric archaeologists study cultures
without written histories. Historical archaeologists study cultures with
written records, and usually focus on the diffusion of those cultures
throughout the world.
The archaeological process begins well before an archaeologist moves
the first shovel of dirt. Archaeologists first develop questions about
past life that they want to answer. They base these questions in the
social sciences and seek answers through scientific methods.
After determining their questions, archaeologists seek data to answer
them. Archaeologists find these data through either excavations in the
field or collections of already excavated materials. Archaeologists do not
dig a site simply because it is there. If the site will not answer their
questions, archaeologists try to preserve the site for future generations
to excavate. Even when a site will answer their questions, archaeologists
do not begin digging without a carefully constructed plan.
It is the job of archaeologists to record as much information as they
can about the sites they study. To be certain they record the information
properly, archaeologists must choose the appropriate methods to study
sites based on the types of sites and the environments of their locations.
Only when the appropriate excavation and documentation methods have been
determined will archaeologists begin a study.
After examining their data from previous collections or field projects,
archaeologists usually write the answers to their questions and other
findings in technical reports. Archaeologists also may wish to share their
findings with the public by producing material for the popular media,
creating exhibits, or presenting public lectures.
Archaeology is a very diverse field, which allows it to draw upon
experts and data from different fields. This diversity also makes
archaeology ideal for the classroom because educators can integrate it
with many subjects in the school curriculum.
USING ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM.
Archaeology can provide links with both the distant and the
not-so-distant past. Archaeology also offers the opportunity to explore
the development of and variation among modern human societies. By
exploring these variations students can better appreciate the diversity of
human life (Formal Education Subcommittee, Public Education Committee
1995, 2).
Archaeology, with its multidisciplinary approach, can teach students a
wide range of topics:
* Students can learn scientific method -- developing hypotheses,
testing, recording, and theory building -- while learning about the past.
* Laying out and mapping archaeological sites teaches students math,
geometry, mapmaking and reading skills, and geography.
* By working in teams like many archaeologists, students learn
communication and interpersonal skills.
* Educators can address various historic topics, explore the ways in
which humans record history (in writing, orally, and archaeologically),
and illustrate how together these different forms of recorded history
offer a clearer view of the past.
* Students can learn biology by analyzing plant and animal remains.
* When studying artifacts, students can use their imaginations to learn
how the artifacts functioned, and what meanings their creators assigned to
them.
* Archaeological activities can provide many hands-on experiences,
allowing students to learn while participating.
* Students can learn critical thinking skills while trying to piece
together the puzzle of the past and understand how people have lived.
RESOURCES FOR TEACHING ARCHAEOLOGY.
Many resources are available for educators to integrate archaeology
into their lessons. These resources usually can be found through
archaeological societies and federal and state agencies. Many of these
organizations maintain lists of books, lesson and activity plans,
videotapes, posters, and other resources available for educators.
Some of these organizations include:
* The Society for American Archaeology, 900 Second Street NE, #12,
Washington, D.C. 20002; (202) 789-8200; <www.saa.org>
* The Society for Historical Archaeology, P.O. Box 30446, Tucson, AZ
85751; (520) 886-8006; <www.sha.org>
* Anthropology Outreach Office, Smithsonian Institution, Washington,
D.C. 20560; (202) 357-1592; <www.nmnh.si.edu/anthro/outreach/outrch1.html>
* Archaeological Institute of America, 658 Beacon Street, Boston, MA
02215; (617) 353-9361; <www.archaeological.org>
* Archaeology and Ethnography Program (2275), National Park Service,
1849 C Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20240; (202) 343-4101; <www.cr.nps.gov/toolsfor.html>
* The Anasazi Heritage Center, Bureau of Land Management, 27501 Highway
184, Dolores, CO 81323; (970) 882-4811; <www.co.blm.gov:80/ahc/projarc.htm>
* National Register of Historic Places, "Teaching With Historic
Places," <www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/home.html>
The Society for American Archaeology (SAA) produces "Archaeology in the
Classroom," which contains guidelines for evaluating archaeology education
materials. SAA's Public Education Committee also produces publications for
teaching archaeology. "Archaeology and Public Education" is a quarterly
Web-based newsletter in which educators can find information on programs,
lesson plans, and other resources. The Public Education Committee also is
initiating a monograph series geared for educators. The monographs will
contain information on archaeological topics and information on how to
incorporate those topics into K-12 classrooms.
Educators can find regional and local resources through local
archaeological societies and archaeologists working within their state and
local governments. Several states organize archaeology week celebrations.
During these events educators can find many archaeological programs and
resources geared toward both the general public and educators. For more
information on these events, individuals can contact their state historic
preservation office or state archaeologist.
The Society for American Archaeology also supports a network of State
and Provincial Archaeology Education Coordinators. These coordinators from
throughout North America can provide information on archaeological
programs and activities in their areas. The Society for American
Archaeology lists these coordinators on its Web site at <www.saa.org/Organization/Committees/n-penet.html>.
By using local resources and examples, educators can place their local
history and culture into the larger world context.
Educators also can take advantage of programs that allow them to
participate in ongoing archaeological projects. Organizations such as the
Center for American Archaeology, P.O. Box 366, Kampsville, IL 62053, (618)
653-4316, <www.caa-archaeology.org> and Crow Canyon Archaeological Center,
23390 County Road K, Cortez, CO 81321, (800) 422-8975, <crowcanyon.com>
provide programs that allow educators to learn firsthand about archaeology
through participation. They also offer courses to help educators
synthesize what they learn in the field into their teaching. REFERENCES
and ERIC RESOURCES.
The following list of resources includes references used to prepare
this Digest. The items followed by an ED number are available in
microfiche and/or paper copies from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service
(EDRS). For information about prices, contact EDRS, 7420 Fullerton Road,
Suite 110, Springfield, Virginia 22153-2852; telephone numbers are (703)
440-1400 and (800) 443-3742. Entries followed by an EJ number, annotated
monthly in CURRENT INDEX TO JOURNALS IN EDUCATION (CIJE), are not
available through EDRS. However, they can be located in the journal
section of most larger libraries by using the bibliographic information
provided, requested through Interlibrary Loan, or ordered from commercial
reprint services.
Formal Education Subcommittee, Public Education Committee. ARCHAEOLOGY
IN THE CLASSROOM: GUIDELINES FOR THE EVALUATION OF ARCHAEOLOGY EDUCATION
MATERIALS. Washington, DC: Society for American Archaeology, 1995.
Formal Education Subcommittee, Workbook Task-Force. TEACHING
ARCHAEOLOGY, A SAMPLER FOR GRADES THREE TO TWELVE. Washington, DC: Society
for American Archaeology, 1995.
O'Brien, Wendy, and Tracey Cullen, Eds. ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM.
Boston, MA: Archaeological Institute of America, 1996. ED 404 276.
Smith, K. C. "Pathway to the Past: Archaeology Education in
Precollegiate Classrooms." SOCIAL STUDIES 89 (May-June 1998): 12-17. EJ
566 896.
Stuart, George, and Francis P. McManamon. ARCHAEOLOGY AND YOU.
Washington, DC: Society for American Archaeology, 1996.
Wolf, Dennie Palmer, Dana Balick, and Julie Craron. DIGGING DEEP:
TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES THROUGH THE STUDY OF ARCHAEOLOGY. Portsmouth, NH:
Heinemann, 1997. ED 415 110.
Yell, Michael M. "The Time Before History: Thinking Like an
Archaeologist." SOCIAL EDUCATION 62 (January 1998): 27-31. EJ 565 805.
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This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from
the U.S. Department of Education under contract number ED-99-CO-0016. The
content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or
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Government. ERIC Digests are in the public domain and may be freely
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Gail William Brown is the Manager of Education and Outreach with the
Society for American Archaeology.
Title: Teaching Archaeology. ERIC Digest.
Document Type: Information Analyses---ERIC Information Analysis
Products (IAPs) (071); Information Analyses---ERIC Digests (Selected) in
Full Text (073);
Available From: ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social
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Descriptors: Adventure Education, Ancient History, Anthropology,
Archaeology, Elementary Secondary Education, Ethnology, Paleontology,
Social Studies
Identifiers: ERIC Digests
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