THIS IS ARCHAEOLOGY!
Unearthing the Past

• Code A3
• DVD Video - Duration: 25 minutes
• Filmed on location in Jordan
• Produced by Astarte Resources and OZIRIS Productions © 1995
• Support Material: worksheet booklet with 24 pages of activities
• Suitable ages 11+

Right now, somewhere in the world, an archaeological excavation is turning back the pages of time to reveal clues to the past which have been hidden for centuries.

Through archaeology we can learn about who we are and where we have come from.

This video introduces students to an archaeological dig in the ancient land of Jordan and the variety of techniques used by historians, conservators and archaeologists to reveal the secrets of a forgotten people.

Suitable for lower secondary students, this video shows how archaeological deposits form, how they are excavated and what they tell us.

This is Archaeology! is supported by a worksheet booklet full of further activities.

This is Archaeology! Worksheet Booklet

This is Archaeology! is accompanied by a 24 page worksheet booklet to extend the themes raised during the video.

• To view a sample of the worksheet booklet: Click Here.

To view this sample you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

For prices, see our catalogue

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PELLA IN JORDAN
A Window To The Past

• Code A2
• DVD Video - Duration: 55 minutes
• Filmed on location in Jordan
• Produced by Astarte Resources and OZIRIS Productions © 1995
• Support Material: background booklet and site plan
• Suitable ages 16+

This video was conceived and produced in conjunction with the archaeologists who work at the site of Pella in Jordan.

The primary aim of the documentary is to introduce senior students to the many facets of modern archaeology - indeed to open a door for them to obtain a genuine insight into what actually goes on at a major archaeological excavation.

The video first places the site of Pella in its historical and geographical framework, before focusing on the site itself to learn of the methods by which we can reconstruct the region's history. Students join the archaeologists in the field as the work progresses. Straight forward explanations are given of the stratigraphy; the day to day recording tasks; and the archaeological analysis - which takes place both in the field and back at base.

The video captures the mood of the excavation and the beautiful country surrounding the site. This documentary is an ideal introduction to archaeology - especially for anyone who has ever wondered what it would be like to work at a major site overlooking the Jordan Valley.

For prices, see our catalogue

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ARCHAEOLOGY!
Evidence of the Past

• Code V31
• DVD Video - Duration: 20 minutes
• Distributed by Astarte Resources
• Suitable ages 15+

This program examines the work of archaeologists at Mesa Verde as an example of how past civilisations can be reconstructed from their findings. It provides a complete explanation of techniques used, including Carbon 14 dating, stratigraphy and dendrochronology and activities such as serial photography, ground-probes and electromagnetic detection. We then see how the findings are evaluated to furnish information about the life and habits of vanished peoples.

For prices, see our catalogue

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THE DIG
Unearthing the Ancient Paphos Theatre

• Code D11
• DVD Video - Duration: 46 minutes
• Distributed by Astarte Resources. Produced by Rigby & Rigby 2005
• Support Material: Background Booklet and Student Activities
• Suitable ages 15+

Paphos is located on the south-western coast of the Mediterranean island of Paphos. Due to the importance of its archaeological remains, the ancient city is today a World Heritage site.

One of the ancient city’s most impressive monuments, its theatre, has been excavated by the University of Sydney since 1995.

This program not only chronicles the day to day work of the archaeologists at the site, but also explores the world of ancient Greek drama and the history of the Paphos Theatre.

Produced in 2005, this program is ideal to introduce your students to modern archaeological methods, as well as the fascinating world of ancient Greek drama.

For prices, see our catalogue

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THE BIG DIG KIT
Investigating Australian Archaeology

A Classroom Activity Kit

Code B2

George Cribb, resident in 1815 at the Rocks, Sydney, was a convict, a butcher, a landlord - and a bigamist!

He may not have realised it, but George has left a trail of evidence that can be used by your students to rediscover his world - and the worlds of those who came after him.

This kit is based on the 1994 archaeological excavations at Cumberland and Gloucester Streets, the Rocks - an excavation that came to be known as 'The Big Dig'.

In a series of activities that will take several lessons to complete, students evaluate a range of authentic historical and archaeological sources to uncover details concerning George Cribb, his family - and his society.

The activities also encourage students to explore the changing history of the site over time and how archaeological and historical sources can be used together to build up a coherent picture of past societies.

The CD ROM is an independent extension activity aimed at students who may wish to examine the archaeological process more closely.

The Big Dig Kit contains:

• 10 x Student Booklets (16 pages containing 33 sources).
  Sufficient for a class of 20 if students work in pairs.
• 1 x Teacher's Booklet (16 pages). The teacher's booklet contains background information, instructions and 11 pages of photocopy masters for all student activities.
• 1 x CD ROM (Macintosh and Windows compatible). The CD ROM is a pictorial record of the excavations along with further information and student questioning on the practicalities of excavating the Cumberland and Gloucester Streets site.
• Suitable ages 15+ 

This kit is ideal for the following:

• Understanding how archaeology can reveal a historical personality interacting with their society;
• Evaluating and using historical and archaeological sources;
• Developing essay writing skills;
• Understanding how archaeological excavations add to our knowledge about a particular time period;
• Illustrating an Australian case study for use in the NSW preliminary HSC Ancient History course;
• Examining the role of convicts in Australian society.

Booklet Examples

• To view a sample of the teacher’s booklet (69K): Click Here.
• To view a sample of the students’ booklet (640K): Click Here.

To view these samples you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

Acknowledgements

This kit has been developed by Godden Mackay Logan Heritage Consultants, Astarte Resources and the NSW Historic Houses Trust. The project has been funded in part by a NSW Heritage Assistance Program Grant and has received support from the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

Designed and Produced by Astarte Resources 2000

For prices, see our catalogue

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DIGGING FOR GOLD!
GOLDFIELD ARCHAEOLOGY AT BALLARAT’S GOVERNMENT CAMP

A Classroom Activity Kit

Code B3

Introduce younger students to the use of historical and archaeological evidence using an actual Australian excavation.

In July 2000 archaeologists began investigations into the site of Ballarat’s old Government Camp in an excavation known as the ‘Camp Street dig’. Now located in the historic heart of Ballarat, the site was once the home of men whose duty it was to bring law and order to Ballarat sprawling goldfields during the 1850s.

Digging for Gold! is designed to take students on the same journey taken by the archaeologists themselves. At first they learn how archaeologists date the deposits they are digging and what they learn from the various artefacts they retrieve. Next the site is researched through historical documents, written accounts and maps. Finally it is time to excavate and students are shown what the Camp Street site has told us about life in Ballarat during the goldrushes.

Using an actual Australian case-study with a history reaching back to the Eureka Rebellion, this kit helps introduce junior students to the use of historical and archaeological evidence.

The kit’s format follows our other popular Classroom Activity Kits where a Student Booklet provides all the information your students require in order to answer the activities contained in the Teacher’s Booklet.

The Digging for Gold! kit contains:

• 10 x Student Booklets (20 pages in full colour). Sufficient for a class of 20 if students work in pairs.
• 1 x Teacher's Booklet (32 pages). The teacher's booklet contains background information, instructions and 23 pages of photocopy masters for all student activities.
• Suitable ages 10+

This kit is ideal for the following:

• Evaluating and using historical and archaeological sources;
• Developing a range of skills related to the study of history including: report writing; mapping skills; historical empathy and even mathematics;
• Understanding how archaeological excavations add to our knowledge about a particular time period;
• Illustrating an Australian case study for use in school curricula studying Gold! and the Eureka Stockade.
• Examining the life and times of one of the world’s richest goldfields.

Booklet Examples

• To view a sample of the Teacher’s Booklet (191k): Click Here.
• To view a sample of the Student Booklet (439k): Click Here.

To view these samples you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

Acknowledgements

This kit has been developed by Godden Mackay Logan, Heritage Consultants and Astarte Resources. The Authors are Maddy Atkinson and Ben Churcher. Funding and additional assistance came from La Trobe University, Heritage Victoria and Godden Mackay Logan.

For prices, see our catalogue

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