History Detectives Archaeology and Evidence

A comprehensive unit for 6th-grade students on the methods and ethics of archaeology. Students move from understanding basic observation to conducting a mock excavation and debating the ownership of historical artifacts.

Clues from the Past

Students define archaeology and practice the fundamental skill of distinguishing between objective observation and subjective inference using everyday objects.

Layers of Time

An exploration of the Law of Superposition and relative dating, teaching students how the physical position of artifacts in soil layers provides chronological context.

The Big Dig

A hands-on simulation where students apply excavation techniques, including gridding, mapping, and recording artifacts in situ.

Piecing it Together

Students synthesize their excavation data to form evidence-based hypotheses about the culture they uncovered, moving from data to narrative.

Who Owns History

A critical look at the modern dilemmas of archaeology, including the repatriation of artifacts, the treatment of burial sites, and the preservation of cultural heritage.