Creating the Archaeological Dig Box

Here are the steps for creating your Archaeological Dig Box (DUE: Monday, October 6):

STEP 1

Get a small shoe box and line it with plastic wrap.

(Note: you will be filling this box with moist dirt. If your shoebox is big, it will become very heavy. A small shoebox is best!)

STEP 2

In the box, place five (5) items that tell the class about you. These items must reveal the same information that the items placed in the personal culture bag did. However, do not use exactly the same items that you used in your bag.

STEP 3

Cover your artifacts with dirt and arrange them so that they are at different levels in the dirt. Then, add a small amount of water to create a moist substance. (The inside of the box should be lined with plastic so that the box itself does not become water logged.)

Pack the moist dirt containing the objects into the box and let it dry in the sun. This may take up to a week depending on the weather, so do it as soon as possible.

Bringing in a sopping wet box will result in a loss of points when your project is graded.

STEP 4

We will bring these into class to excavate. Each shoe box should be brought into class in a nondescript brown paper bag.

Important! NO NAME OR ANY OTHER IDENTIFYING MARKS SHOULD BE ON THE BAG OR BOX.

STEP 5

On the box (inside the bag), put a sticky note with your name on it. Then, I will remove the sticky notes and number the boxes so that only I know the rightful owner of each shoe box.

We will excavate the contents of the box during class. Our dig will be on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

STEP 6

Using the notes from Part One (Personal Culture Bag) we will try to deduce the owner of the box. This is much more difficult than one might expect!!