Archaeology

Show/tell/discuss/demonstrate items require live interactive review — worksheets alone cannot complete them.

• 1. Tell what archaeology is and explain to your counselor how it differs or relates to other fields of study such as anthropology, geology, paleontology, and history. Explain how archaeology is different than artifact collecting or treasure hunting.

• 2. Describe the following steps of the archaeological process: site location, development of background research and a research design, site survey and fieldwork, artifact identification and examination, interpretation, preservation, and information sharing.

• 3. Describe at least two ways in which archaeologists determine the age of sites, structures, or artifacts. Explain what absolute dating and relative dating are.

• 4. Learn about a combined total of five archaeological sites located both within and outside the United States.

  • (b) Choose ONE of the sites you picked and give a short presentation about your findings to a Cub Scout pack, your Scout troop, your school class, or another group.

• 5. Do the following:

• 6. Do the following:

  • (c) Describe the ways in which you can be a protector of the past.

• 7. Do ONE of the following and discuss your findings with your counselor:

• 8. Research a group of people who lived in your area more than 100 years ago. Find out about their ways of life, including housing, clothing, arts and crafts, tools, trade and markets, rituals and religions, and diets, and their relationships with other groups of people in the area. Describe what you would expect to find at an archaeological site where these people lived. Explain how these people influenced your current community.

• 9. Explore careers related to this merit badge. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. Your research methods may include—with your parent or guardian's permission—an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career.

• 10. Do ONE of the following:

• 11. Under the supervision of a qualified archaeologist or instructor, do ONE of the following:

  • (a) Help prepare an archaeological exhibit for display in a museum, visitor center, school, or other public area.