Curriculums

Two curriculums are currently available for your use in teaching archaeology.

Project Archaeology

Project Archaeology was developed by the Pennsylvania Archaeological Council (PAC) and consists of a lesson plan, student text, and a supplemental unit in PDF format. As outlined in the lesson plan, the lessons address several needs:

"First, they were designed to facilitate reading comprehension. Second, they address powerful ideas, abilities, and issues which are identified by the state and national education standards. It is the position of the project team that Pennsylvania's archaeological past is interesting, exciting, and useful for addressing a variety of these standards."

The student text contains the following sections:

Section One - Basic Concepts

  • Chapter 1 - What Is Anthropology?
  • Chapter 2 - What Is Archaeology?
  • Chapter 3 - Meet an Archaeologist
  • Chapter 4 - How Do Archaeologists Do Their Work?
  • Chapter 5 - How Old Is It?

Section Two - Pennsylvania Before the Europeans

  • Chapter 6 - History and Culture in Pennsylvania Place Names
  • Chapter 7 - What Was Pennsylvania Like Before European Contact?
  • Chapter 8 - Where Did the Ancestors of Native Americans Come From?
  • Chapter 9 - Native American History in Pennsylvania Before the Europeans

Section Three - Comparing Cultures

  • Chapter 10 - What Basic Needs Do All Cultures Meet?
  • Chapter 11 - Written in Stone: Pre-European Rock Art in Pennsylvania
  • Chapter 12 - Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics
  • Chapter 13 - Who Are the Maya?

Download

Note: all of the links are PDF files.

 

Table Top Archaeology

Table Top Archaeology provides information on setting up a box for simulating an archaeological dig in the classroom. A table top project gives students an opportunity to confront the decisions, challenges, and even the mistakes that can occur during an excavation. The teacher's guide provides direction in teaching techniques of excavating, interpreting, and reporting an archaeological project. Lesson plans, instructional materials, and a list of professional contacts are included in the appendices.

Download

Note: all of the links are PDF files.