Topic Two (1.2): How do historians and archaeologists investigate the Ancient past?

Topics Icon.png Objectives for this topic

  • To understand and explore the methods used by historians and archaeologists. 

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

In this topic you will be defining some key terms used by historians and archaeologists. You will look at how time is used as well as investigating the different sources used to discover about the past.

Interact Icon.png Working through your coursebook

Please work through the following sections in your coursebook, completing all listed exercises:

  • Read pages 38 to 42 on chronology. When you have finished answer questions 1 to 9 to check your understanding of your reading:

COMPLETE – Worksheet 1.2 Download COMPLETE – Worksheet 1.2

  • Complete activities 1 to 4 of Checkpoint 1A on page 43.
  • Start to investigate sources and what they are by reading pages 44 to 46. Then complete activity 1 of the Interpret task on page 47. You then need to move on to complete activities 1, 2 and 4 of the Check your understanding on page 47. You can do all of this on the following sheet:

COMPLETE – Worksheet 1.3 Download COMPLETE – Worksheet 1.3

  • Investigate the methods used by archaeologists by reading pages 48 to 50. Once you have done this you need to complete activities 1 to 3 of the Check your understanding on page 50. These activities can be completed on the following sheet if you wish:

COMPLETE – Worksheet 1.4 Download COMPLETE – Worksheet 1.4

  • Complete activities 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 of Checkpoint 1B on page 51.

 

Bridge Icon.png Support activity for this topic

  • Consolidate your understanding of chronology through this short video:

WATCH- WHAT IS CHRONOLOGY?

  • Practise chronological time by creating a timeline of your life. You will not need to add BC (!!) but make sure you have clear dates, in chronological order.
  • Find out more about archaeology here:

WATCH - Solving Mysteries with Archaeologists!

  • Complete this activity to understand an archaeological dig:

COMPLETE – Worksheet arch101 Download COMPLETE – Worksheet arch101

Stretch Icon.png Extension activity for this topic

  • Reflect further on what history is and can do:

COMPLETE – RICH TASK 1A Download COMPLETE – RICH TASK 1A

  • Find out more about historical methods through this case study of Richard III:

COMPLETE – RICH TASK 1B Download COMPLETE – RICH TASK 1B

  • Practise the historical concepts of cause, effect, continuity and change using this task:

COMPLETE – RICH TASK 1C Download COMPLETE – RICH TASK 1C

  • Create an archaeological dig (you could bury some pottery); then take photographs of every stage of your dig, to create an infographic on how archaeology is conducted.
  • Find out more about archaeological dating techniques:

READ - How archaeologists determine the date of ancient sites and artefacts (nationalgeographic.com) Links to an external site.

  • Research a historical mystery of your own choice – this is Task 7 of Checkpoint 1C on page 55.
  • Deepen your knowledge of Tollund Man:

WATCH - The Tollund Man: Denmark's remarkable bog mummy

Download Icon.png Check your answers

If you would like to check your answers for this topic, you can do so by consulting: