would you make a good archaeologist?

2002

Would You Make A Good Archaeologist? was piloted by the pupils at Killin, Kenmore and Glenlyon Primary Schools (Primary 1 to Primary 7) and also the Young Naturalists Club at Brodick Country Park. We ran the programme again in 2005.

The programme consists of a series of activities that introduce young people to the work of an archaeologist.

Our aim was to inform the children in an accessible way, allowing them as much practical involvement as possible. There were no new ideas - tried and tested activities were used and the whole programme designed in such a way that experts did not have to lead it.

The activities were based around the four main areas of an archaeologists' work: desk-based research, fieldwork, finds processing, interpretation.

Desk based Research (juniors)

A picture of the variety of tools archaeologists use

Learning how to use maps

Investigating objects (infants)

Explaining stratigraphy to the pupils

Taking great care with the artefacts

Excavation

A picture of the variety of tools archaeologists use

Discussing stratigraphy (how objects are found
in different layers of earth)

Explaining stratigraphy to the pupils

Learning which tools to use - shovels, trowels
and small brushes

Finds Processing

A picture of the variety of tools archaeologists use

Sorting materials

Explaining stratigraphy to the pupils

Mending Pots

Explaining stratigraphy to the pupils

Concentration required

Interpretation (creating the story from the evidence)

A picture of the variety of tools archaeologists use

The lost luggage game

Explaining stratigraphy to the pupils

The skeleton

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