Teaching Archaeology

Sample Lessons

Scientific Methods in Archaeology

Archaeology gives students the opportunity to apply scientific methods to real situations and to hone critical thinking skills.

Archaeologists apply scientific methods by formulating plans to gather and analyze data. This information helps them to test hypotheses about the people they are studying. Research also includes analyzing the objects people made or used (artifacts) and the locations in which human activity took place (sites). For example, if archaeologists find corn at a site, they might hypothesize that the former residents were farmers, and test their hypothesis by analyzing soil samples or noting the presence or absence of farming implements. Researchers also engage in "experimental archaeology," the replication of past practices using modern materials, such as making clay pots using the coil method to learn about ceramic technology.

The lesson, "What Ought to Rot," shows how archaeologists use scientific methods. Through this activity, students learn that some evidence from past cultures survives over time, and some does not, thus influencing the conclusions that researchers can draw.

What Ought to Rot

Prepared by Nan McNutt

Overview

Every archaeological site is affected by conditions such as soils and climate. Some sites are found in hot, dry deserts; some in frozen tundra; some under water; some in caves; some in soils that drain well or in wet clays. Wet conditions present an interesting situation in which bacteria that decompose vegetable matter are sealed off from oxygen. Artifacts buried in wet environments are "preserved" until exposed to air. If not properly treated with wax or similar consolidants, they immediately begin to decompose.

Objectives

This experiment will give students firsthand knowledge about what happens to vegetable matter under different conditions. It also will reinforce the scientific processes used in any science.

Age Level

Grades 6 - 8, or gifted 4 - 5

Time Required

This activity will cover a month of observation for at least fifteen minutes once a week. Plan one period for an introduction and one for a conclusion.

Materials Required

• 30 clear plastic cups (8-ounce)
• 30 pieces of local fruit (berries or fruit from the store)
• water
• plastic wrap
• a freezer or refrigerator
• pottery clay (enough to individually wrap six pieces of fruit)
• lamp
• masking tape
• pea gravel (7½ cups)
• rubber bands
• worksheet: Observation Worksheet

Skills Developed

hypothesis, observation, recording, testing/analyzing, drawing conclusions

Vocabulary

constant: a factor in an experiment that is not manipulated

decompose: to break down; to rot

inorganic: materials that have never been alive

organic: materials that were or are alive

oxidation: the combining of a substance with oxygen

variable: a factor in an experiment that is manipulated

Preparation

This activity is designed to use the scientific method. Hypothesis, observation, recording, testing/analysis, and drawing conclusions are some of the basics of experimentation, and should be stressed throughout the activity.

Divide the class into five groups. Set up each of the work stations needed to simulate the site conditions: freezer, lamp, and cool and warm places in the room.

This experiment simulates what happens to materials on an archaeological site, but do not tell the students until they give their results. Make enough copies of the Observation Worksheet for each student.