Archaeology

Archaeology Activity Boxes

Teachers may check out the Archaeology Activity Boxes to familiarize students with the basic concepts and procedures guiding archaeological research. The boxes contain two classroom activities- one Field Activity and one Lab Activity. With minor exceptions, each box includes all you need to complete the activities described. The activities suit students in grades 4-8.

Field Activity: Mapping a simulated excavation unit, students use the same tools and techniques employed by archaeologists. Students examine the artifacts to guess about the activity that took place at the "site".

Lab Activity: Measuring and describing reproductions of Native American artifacts, students learn how archaeologists identify tools. They also gain a basic understanding of Wisconsin prehistory.

Activity Box Contents

Background Materials:

• Teacher's Guide to the Archaeology Activity Boxes
• " Digging and Discovery: Wisconsin Archaeology" (WHS Badger History publication) 25 copies
• "Digging and Discovery Teacher's Guide and Student Materials"
• Poster set- Wisconsin prehistory (3 sheets)

Additional Reading Materials: (1 copy each book)

• "Dig This! How Archaeologists Uncover Our Past"
• "Eyewitness Books: Archaeology"
• "The Young Oxford Book of Archaeology"

Field Activity:

• Polaroid camera
• 2 50-cm. mapping frames
• 2 pieces tag board
• metric rulers
• camping/picnic artifact set

Lab Activity:

• 4 artifact sets (Sites A-D)
• 2 sets calipers

Check out one or both activity boxes for up to 4 weeks for $25.
Boxes may be picked-up at the Museum Archaeology Program Office or shipped at a cost of approximately $10. Contact Denise Wiggins for information regarding availability and scheduling at (608) 264-6560, 9 AM-5 PM, Monday-Friday.