Junior Scholars Academy (JSA)

Classes Session 1 - June 15-20, 2008

Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter

Join us in an exciting trip back in time. Archaeology is one way to know the human past. Through an archaeological investigation…

of a Native American earthlodge, students will learn about the history and lives of the Pawnee Indians. Students begin by exploring the meaning and uses of shelter in their own lives and the contemporary world. They learn and practice the basic concepts of archaeological inquiry and apply them to the investigation of a shelter. Students will rely primarily on archeological evidence including site maps and artifacts and their relationships to each other (context) to reconstruct and interpret the past. Students will also use historical evidence such as oral histories, historic photographs, and written accounts to augment their investigations. They explore ways to use the information in the contemporary world by designing a new shelter based on information drawn from the past.

The class models the process of archaeological inquiry to learn about social studies, history and science. It also incorporates language arts and mathematical skills. The week includes in-class activities, hands-on introductions to Native American technology, field trips to the lab and collections of the Office of the State Archaeologist, area archaeological sites and museum exhibits, and special speakers and films.

Instructor

Lynn M. Alex is Director of Education and Outreach, Office of the State Archaeologist, University of Iowa. She holds a Bachelors degree (University of Kentucky) in Anthropology and a Masters (University of Wisconsin/Madison) degree in Anthropology. She has extensive background in teaching and research in Anthropology and Archaeology and has published two books on Iowa archaeology.