American Museum of Natural History
Being an Archeologist: Chuck Spencer
Meet Chuck Spencer, an archeologist who studies the Zapotec people who lived in the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico over 2000 years ago. Spencer shares in print his response to questions posed by kids.
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Cargoes from Three Continents Ancient Mediterranean Trade
Sixth graders begin the lesson by researching the different types of ships and shipbuilding techniques used to help trade in the Mediterranean Sea. Using different objects, they determine what one can tell about a society and discuss...
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Texas Treasures
Students explore the meanings of the word "treasure," and examine the use of clay in the construction of buildings in San Antonio, Texas. They examine clay artifacts, and watch a video about pottery artist, Harding Black. Students then...
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Leaarn to Think Like an Archaeologist
Students examine how to act as archaeologists by examining artifacts. The inquiry is meant to teach learners about analysis of ancient civilizations and scientific finds. Fossil evidence is also covered to make connection to the...
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Ancient Man in Asia
Seventh graders analyze and synthesize information about major historical developments by interpreting data, evaluation sources of information, identifying and comparing experiences and perspectives from multiple cultural perspectives.
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Banpo Village: Gone, But Not Forgotten
Sixth graders plan a trip to China and prepare yourself for the Banpo excavation site competition by studying prehistoric and ancient Chinese history.
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Empires of Early Africa
Ninth graders examine the Nile's role in the birth and growth of Egyptian civilization. In this World History instructional activity, 9th graders explore how archaeologists have learned about life in Ancient cities. Students present a...
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Using the Patterns and Symbols of Mali Mud Cloth to Convey Identity
Students participate in relating the role of the arts in defining identity. They examine the community in West African society and how members of that community define their role. They view how artifacts, music and performance can...
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Pharaoh Phonetics
Students explain the purpose of hieroglyphics and identify their role in communicating ideas. They research the history of writing and it's significance in ancient Egyptian life and identify the components of hieroglyphics.
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The Gift of the Nile: Egypt and its River
Students begin with a piece of a puzzle that shows an artifact from ancient Egypt. They find others who have pieces that go with their puzzle piece. Students work in these groups to construct a relief map of the Nile River Valley.
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The Four Corners Region of the United States Cultures, Ruins and Landmarks
Students who live in the inner city are introduced to the four corners region of the United States. In groups, they examine how the region differs compared to where they live and their culture. They develop maps of the area and locate...
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Amazing Aztecs
Students research information about the ancient Aztec culture. In this Aztec lesson plan, students conduct Internet research about Aztecs to find the answers to questions about their language, jewelry and tools, and the Aztec calendar. ...
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Creation Mythology
Students construct a map from geographic data and explain relationships found in the information. Students identify ancient beliefs and customs through Hawaiian creation myths while comparing similarities and differences and appreciating...
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Homer's Odyssey:The Original Incredible Journey
Young scholars study Greek culture, particularly as it relates to Homer's Odyssey. They examine how human activities shape the earth's surface and identify forces that influence a culture's beliefs and traditions. They determine that...
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Ceramics Scientific Inquiry Through Chinese Art
Fourth graders explore, examine and study ceramics, a medium of historical importance to China. They review the advanced technology of the early Chinese civilization and are introduced to the scientific method of inquiry and make...
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The Uluburun Shipwreck Project: Interconnections through Trade in the Late Bronze Age Mediterranean World
Ninth graders examine causes and effects of the Uluburun shipwreck. In groups, they develop their own ways to categorize the artifacts found on the ship and decide on the research questions they are going to focus on. They use the...
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Paper: Scientific Inquiry Through Chinese Art
Learners create replicas of Chinese hanging scrolls in an attempt to understand the technology behind the creation and use of paper in Ancient China. This three-day lesson includes enrichment ideas.
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Using Evidence from a Shipwreck to Explore Late Bronze Age Trade in the Mediterranean
Students examine a shipwreck from the late Bronze Age. As a class, they view a variety of slides to describe the cargo and examine the artifacts found on the wreckage. They discuss what each object tells them about the crew and the time...
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Homer's Odyssey: The Original Incredible Journey
Students study things that influence a culture's beliefs and traditions. They study the physical and human characteristics of Ancient Greece and how they influence the culture's storytelling heritage.
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Treasures Along the Silk Roads
Ninth graders examine the travels of the Silk road. In this Ancient China lesson, 9th graders analyze slides of artifacts as cultural and social representations of the Silk Road civilizations. Students create a word map and creative...
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The Empires of Early Africa
High schoolers view the video "Empires of Early Africa." They are asked: Who was Nefertiti? They review the facts about Akhenaten and Nefertiti. Students discuss how archaeologists looked for clues to determine the identity of the...
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My How Things Have Changed
Eighth graders discuss the impact geography had on hunter-gatherer societies, their toolmaking. They work in groups to create a Web page that links pictures of artifacts to explanations about what the artifact tell us about the lives of...
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Forensic Detectives: Archaeology at Work
Dig in! Middle schoolers learn about archaeology by exploring the remnants of the Chiribaya bodies found in Illinois. Compare archaeological investigations, and then write a mystery detailing the discovery of a body! Consider bringing in...
Ocean Explorer
Looking for Clues
Upper graders become "shipwreck detectives" by studying the debris field from a shipwreck in the Aegean Sea which took place in the 700s. A website is accessed that gives specific information about the debris field, and pairs of...