Teaching Archaeology

Archaeology in the Classroom

What is archaeology?

Archaeology is…

• the scientific study of past human culture, technology, and behavior based on the analysis of remains that people have left behind. Archaeologists propose research questions to learn how specific ways of life developed and how they changed over time.
• a subdivision of anthropology, a discipline which examines human development and behavior from four viewpoints. Cultural anthropologists study present cultures. Physical anthropologists study physical development and evolution. Linguistic anthropologists study the development and evolution of languages. Archaeologists study the material remains of cultures, including written records, artifacts, structures, trash dumps, soil stains, or other evidence of human behavior.
• a multicultural discipline that promotes respect for present and past human populations.
• a way of preserving our shared human heritage by providing individuals with perspectives on their own time and place in human history.
• the study of the nonrenewable and fragile remains of past cultures, instilling awareness for the need to preserve and protect archaeological sites.

Why should archaeology be included in the school curricula?

Because archaeologists would like to…

• share what they have learned about people who lived in the past.
• increase appreciation and respect for all cultures.
• improve awareness of archaeological methods and issues.
• promote stewardship of archaeological sites.

How do teachers benefit?

Teachers who include archaeology in their curricula discover that it is…

• a way to teach critical thinking skills.
• holistic and interdisciplinary.
• conducive to small group and cooperative learning.
• culturally aware and culturally sensitive.
• a basis for understanding multicultural perspectives.
• a tool for studying the consequences of human behavior and decision making.

How do students benefit?

For students, archaeology is…

• an adventure that provides rich opportunities in all areas of learning.
• a means of understanding our common heritage, who we are as human beings, and how we came to be the way we are today.
• a mystery-laden experience that requires imagination, creativity, and logic.
• a way to develop informed, thoughtful, and responsible behavior toward all cultural resources, which are nonrenewable and irreplaceable.