Class members will dig this activity that has them trying their hand at recovering artifacts. Groups are assigned a section of a sandbox, carefully uncover the artifacts in their section, and then develop theories about who might have used these objects and what the objects reveal about how these people might have lived.

Concepts

artifacts, native american tribes, native americans, archaeology, archaeological digs

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Use as part of a study of the Channel Islands, early California history, archaelogy, and/or a reading of Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins
• Select one of the many videos available on YouTube to demonstrate the process archaeologists use to extract artifacts

Classroom Considerations

• The activity assumes class members have watched the West of the West's documentary Cache and are aware of the story of Juana Maria
• Requires access to a large sandbox, and archaeology tools like brushes, picks, and sieves or sifters

Pros

• The three-page packet includes a materials list, step by-step directions for the activity, images, and extensions

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.6-8.7 RST.6-8.9