Uncovering Artifacts Activity

 

Group Member Names:_____________________________________________

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Materials Needed:

Deep plastic bin

Soil

Small shovel

Artifacts

Ruler  

Graph paper

 

  1. Fill your plastic bin with four inches (10cm) deep with soil.  Pat down the soil to make a flat, level surface.
  2. Select a location for your sub floor pit and excavate a rectangular pit about 4 by 3 inches (10 by 7.5 cm).  Pat the walls and the bottom of the pit to form a firm impression in the soil.
  3. On a sheet of graph paper, draw a map of the entire soil surface.  Number the grid lines and use them as a coordinate system to record location on your map.  Include a sketch of your pit’s location on the map.
  4. Scatter several artifacts in the pit.  Record their exact location on your sketch.  Continue filling the pit as you scatter several additional items in the storage space.  Don’t forget to record the exact location of each item and its depth.
  5. Once the pit is completely filed (it should be level with the surrounding soil) scatter several more artifacts across the entire surface of the plot (beyond the limits of the pit).  After recording the location of these items, cover this level with several inches of soil.
  6. Exchange archaeological sites with another team.  On a separate sheet of graph paper, make a sketch of this new plot.  Carefully excavate the site.  Record the positions and depths of any items that are uncovered during the “dig”.
  7. Locate the position of the buried sub floor pit.  Excavate the pit and record the locations of all recovered items.
  8. When you are finished obtain the plot diagram from the original team and compare and contrast the sketches that you made with those made by the original creators of the site. 
  9. Answer the following questions:

1.     Did you correctly identify the positions of all objects?

2.     Why or why not?

3.     How did you show the various depths?

4.     What made it difficult to map the objects?

  1. When you are finished, clean your work area.  Be sure to dispose of the soil as directed by your teacher.