Archaeology and the Bible

 

 This unit is ©Copyright 2004, 2008 by Cindy Downes. All rights reserved. Permission is given to homeschooling parents to use these units free of charge in their own homeschool only. These units may not be reprinted in any other form, for any other purpose (commercial or otherwise) without permission from Cindy Downes. Contact her at cindy@oklahomahomeschool.com.

Index and Recommended Lesson Plan:

Directions:

This unit has been designed to be completed in eighteen weeks, covering two, 1 - 3 hour lessons per week. For a shorter study, customize the unit to the length you desire by choosing how much material you cover and how long you take to cover it. More than enough materials is suggested so that you can pick and choose what will work for your family. Read over General Directions for Cindy's Unit Studies for more information. For help in this area, The Checklist includes a list of major concepts generally covered for each topic, a list of major scientists/inventors relative to the topic, and a list of pertinent terminology.

Unit Project Suggestion:

Create a notebook for the unit. Include drawings/sketches of the topic studied, biographical sketches of important inventors/scientists (if appropriate), a dictionary of important terms, a timeline study of important events (if applicable), copies or photos of worksheets, composition projects, crafts, lab work, and/or other hands-on projects related to the unit. Follow up with a review lesson and quizzes, if desired. At the end of each year, select a representative sample and place in your child's portfolio.

Back to Top

Recommended Resources:

Archaeology, Digging Deeper to Learn About the Past (DDLAP) by Judith Cochran. Incentive Pub. 1999. Excellent resource. Mandatory for this unit. ISBN 086530436X. 4th+, As a unit study, all ages. Thumbnails from the book.

Exploring Ancient Cities of the Bible (EACOTB) by Michael Carroll. 2001. This is an excellent introduction to Archaeology for Christian students. It covers what an archaeologist is, underwater archaeology, space-age archaeology, how artifacts are dated, and information about ancient cultures such as Israel, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Babylon, Rome, and more. Very nice, colorful, visuals make it a great read-aloud for almost all ages. Unfortunately, it is out of print. If you are unable to obtain this resource, you'll have to skip references to this. ISBN 0781436958. 48 pgs. 4th+

An alternate resource for Exploring Ancient Cities of the Bible is Biblical Archaeology Review. Subscribe to their magazine for lots of archaeology information from a Christian perspective.

Practical Archaeology: A Step-by-Step Guide to Uncovering the Past: A comprehensive illustrated handbook for the keen amateur and new student by Christopher Catling.

Hands On Archaeology. Activities using everyday materials. All ages.

Archaeology Thematic Unit (ATU) by TCM. You will save a portion of this book for the Ancient Mesopotamia Unit. Books recommended in this book: The Usborne Young Scientist: Archaeology by Barbara Cork and Dig This! How Archaeologists Uncover Our Past by Michael Avi-Yonah. However, these are not necessary for this unit. ISBN 1557342962. 4th+

Remembering God's Awesome Acts by Susan Mortimer. This is a must for those of you who want a Biblical perspective on Ancient History. Recommended for 2nd grade and up. ISBN 9781931292511. 2-12.

Optional Archaeological Kits. Choose any that appeal to you and your children. These are not required but will make your unit much more fun!

Back to Top

Archaeology and the Bible (1 week):

Reading:

  • Read Archaeology and the Bible from Century One Foundation. 5th+
  • Read Archaeology and the Bible from Christian Answers. K-6+
  • If you have Exploring Ancient Cities of the Bible:
    • Read pgs. 8-13, EACOTB, Old Testament Discoveries
    • Read pgs. 14-17, EACOTB, Egypt
    • Read pgs. 18-20, EACOTB, Mesopotamia
    • Read pgs. 21-22, EACOTB, Babylonia Empire
    • Read pgs. 23, EACOTB, Assyrian Empire
    • Read pgs. 24, EACOTB, Persian Empire
    • Read pgs. 26-27, EACOTB, Weapons and Warfare in the Old Testament
    • Read pgs. 28-29, EACOTB, Old Testament Mysteries
    • Read pgs. 30-36, EACOTB, New Testament Discoveries
    • Read pgs. 37-39, EACOTB, Roman Empire
    • Read pgs. 40-41, EACOTB, New Testament Greece
    • Read pgs. 42, EACOTB, New Testament Mysteries

Activities:

  • Composition: Choose a topic from page 22, 44 or 71, ATU
  • Art Project: Choose from Archaeological Art Activities, page 21 or Ancient Art Projects, page 40, ATU
  • From The Checklist, add terminology to your Dictionary of Terms, Page 23 of The Checklist.
  • Just for fun, watch Indiana Jones, Raiders of the Lost Ark, PG-13. Rent.

Internet Research and/or Activities :

Back to Top

What is Archaeology? (3 weeks)

Reading Suggestions:

  • Read: What is Archaeology?
  • Read Diggin' Up the Facts About Archaeology.
  • Read The History of Archaeology.
  • Read pgs. 4-5, Exploring Ancient Cities of the Bible (EACOTB)
  • Read pgs. 8-10 of DDLAP, Discovering Aspects of Ancient Life through Artifacts
  • Read pgs. 17-23 of DDLAP, Deciphering Ancient Writing
  • Read pgs. 28-31 of DDLAP, Historian Accounts
  • Read pgs. 34-39 of DDLAP, Learning from Ancient Art
  • Read pgs. 41-43 of DDLAP, Time Capsules: Sites Frozen in Time

Activities:

  • Greek Vase Painting Project from Archaeological Institute of America.
  • Play the Experiment in the Iron Age Game.
  • Locus Sheet, page 10-11 & 111, DDLAP
  • Deciphering Ancient Writing Activity, page 24 & 114, DDLAP
  • Original Rosetta Stone Activity, page 24 & 115, DDLAP
  • Extensions as desired, page 25-27, DDLAP
  • Make a Scroll and Be a Historian Activity, page 31 & 116, DDLAP
  • Extensions as desired, page 33, DDLAP
  • Interpreting Ancient Art Activity, page 39 & 117, DDLAP
  • Research Art from a Significant Culture Activity, page 40 & 118, DDLAP
  • A Site Frozen in Time Activity, page 44 & 119, DDLAP
  • Time Capsule Interpretation Activity, page 44 & 119 & 120, DDLAP
  • Add terminology to your Dictionary of Terms. See The Checklist, page 22-23.
  • Composition: Choose a topic from page 22, 44 or 71, ATU
  • Worksheet: What is Archaeology?

Internet Research and/or Activities :

Video Recommendations:

  • Bill Nye the Science Guy: Archaeology [videorecording]. Published Elk Grove Village, Ill. : Disney Educational Productions, 1996. Check your library or purchase from libraryvideo.com

Back to Top

Artifacts (3 weeks):

Reading Suggestions:

  • Read pgs. 46-63 of DDLAP, Artifacts

Internet Research and/or Activities:

Activities:

  • Greek Pot Painter.
  • Which Artifacts Tell Your Story? Activity page 47 & 121, DDLAP.
  • Extensions as desired, page 48, DDLAP
  • My Stratified Life Activity, page 51 & 122, DDLAP
  • Extension, Stratified Collage, page 51, DDLAP
  • Play Stratigraphy Game.
  • How Artifacts are Preserved Activity, page 57 & 123, DDLAP
  • Modern Day Equivalent Activity, page 63 & 125-127, DDLAP
  • Play Memory Game.
  • Composition: Choose a topic from page 22, 44 or 71, ATU
  • Add terminology to your Dictionary of Terms. See The Checklist, page 22-23.

Video Recommendations:

  • Pieces of the Past. Watch how sunken artifacts are traced, located and retrieved. Learn the importance of determining how ancient people lived. The legendary Atocha shipwreck is featured. From the Science in Action Video Series. Produced by Reunion Productions, Inc. Grades 3 to 7. Color. Copyright 1996. 18 minutes. Check your library or rent from Libraryvideo.com

Back to Top

Going on a Dig (3 weeks):

Reading Suggestions:

Internet Research and/or Activities:

Activities:

  • Mapping the Ancient World Activity, page 32, ATU
  • Schedule Comparison Activity, page 66 & 128, DDLAP
  • Where Would You Dig and Why Activity, page 71 & 131, DDLAP
  • Squares Activity, page 66, ATU
  • A Site Map Activity, page 25, ATU
  • Plot the Artifacts, page 67, ATU
  • Field Notes from a Tel in Jordan Activity, page 74 & 132, DDLAP
  • Stratigraphy Activity and Explanation, page 74 & 133-134, DDLAP
  • Stratigraphy Activity, page 68, ATU
  • Into The Tomb Activity, page 38, ATU
  • Composition: Choose a topic from page 22, 44 or 71, ATU
  • Add terminology to your Dictionary of Terms. See The Checklist, page 22-23.

Video Recommendations:

  • Archaeology: Revealing Our History: Becoming Americans Video Series  (2002). Behind-the-scenes look at an on-going archaeological excavation in Colonial Williamsburg. Grades 4-8. Check your library or purchase from APlusVideoRentals.com

Back to Top

Interpreting Finds (3 weeks):

Reading Suggestions:

Internet Research and/or Activities:

Activities:

  • Ancient and Modern Activity, page 84 and 135, DDLAP
  • Research dating methods, how they work and what they are used on. Write a composition on some aspect of this topic.
  • Dating Artifacts Activity, page 37, ATU
  • Reconstructing a Pot Activity, page 90 & 136, DDLAP or do the following:
  • Archaeological Dig Fun: Decorate several clay pots with paint or markers. Try to make them look like "period" pieces. Place pots in a bag and gently hit with a hammer to break into large pieces. Mix up the pieces and let your children put these "artifacts" back together with glue. If you have a sandbox, bury them in the sand and let your children "excavate" them first.
  • Minoans Vs. Mycenaeans Activity, page 39, ATU
  • Reading a Label Activity, page 64, ATU
  • Composition: Create a Culture report, page 57, ATU
  • Add terminology to your Dictionary of Terms. See The Checklist, page 22-23.

Back to Top

Underwater and Space-Age Archaeology (1 week):

Reading Suggestions:

  • Read pgs. 76-78, EACOTB, Underwater Archeology: Finding and Excavating Shipwrecks
  • Read pgs. 6, EACOTB, Space-Age Archaeology.

Internet Research and/or Activities:

Activities:

  • Research a shipwreck such as the Titanic or Mary Rose. Write a composition about the excavation.
  • Underwater Archaeology Activity, page 24, ATU
  • Composition: Choose a topic from page 22, 44 or 71, ATU
  • Add terminology to your Dictionary of Terms. See The Checklist, page 22-23.
  • Prepare some ancient recipes and Ancient recipes II. Use the Food Timeline to find more.

Back to Top

Careers in Archaeology (2 weeks):

Reading Suggestions:

  • Read Archaeology Interview.
  • Read pgs. 13- 16 of DDLAP: Who's Who (Forensic Archaeologist, Paleobotanist, Paleographer, Numismatist, Ceramic Technologist, Dendrochronologist
  • Read pgs. 91-96 of DDLAP: Famous finds, Mysteries, and Questions (Famous Archaeologists)
  • Read pgs. 98-99 of DDLAP: Hands-On Approach to Archaeology (Models)

Internet Research and/or Activities:

Activities:

  • Who's Who Activity, page 16 & 112, DDLAP
  • Specialist Report , page 16 & 113, DDLAP
  • Dig Experts Activity, page 28, ATU
  • Research & Early Archaeologists Activity, page 42, ATU
  • Pioneer Archaeologists, page 69, ATU
  • Composition: Pick a famous archaeologist and write a biography about him or her.
  • Write a report or create a model of a famous archaeological site.
  • Eat an Ancient Meal Activity, page 100 & 137, DDLAP
  • Dress Like a Greek, Roman or Egyptian, page 101 & 138, DDLAP
  • Ancient Time Capsule Activity, page 102 & 139-140, DDLAP
  • Other activities as desired on pages 102-104, DDLAP
  • Reading a Coin Activity (oral), page. 17, ATU
  • Play Seven Wonders Search. (3rd+)
  • Add terminology to your Dictionary of Terms. See The Checklist, page 22-23.

Back to Top

Review (1-2 weeks):

.

  

Copyright © 2004 - by Cindy Downes