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National Agency for Culture Heritage Preservation of Georgia

Archaeology for kids


Mtskheta, Samtavro Valley 2012

For students in primary and secondary schools

Educational program Archaeology for kids is elaborated in compliance with the goals and requirements of national curricula

Goals of the Program

nurture childrens interest in the profession of archaeologist


open the door to the past to see how people lived inculcate a love for local history and cultural heritage in young people develop the skills of creativity, discussion, investigation, and analysis raise the general level of cultural knowledge

Archaeology for kids envisages educational archaeological excavations in specially adapted sites

There are five archaeological areas on the site arranged for children: The Middle Bronze Age The Late Bronze and Early Iron Age Late Antique Age

In The Middle Bronze Age graves, mainly ceramic and some bronze objects are found

In The Late Bronze and Early Iron Age graves, bronze objects are most common

Selected burial grounds of the Late Antique Age are rich in gold and silver objects

The program lasts 2 hours Stage 1: visit the sites of Samtavro ancient settlement and graves

Stage 2: brief lecture on archaeology and archaeological excavations


Stage 3: equip children with archaeological tools Stage 4: make excavations Stage 5: analyse archaeological discoveries (taking account of age groups) Stage 6: restore some ceramic objects Stage 7: distribute Young Archaeologist certificates and commemorative triplet to kids

Stage 1: visit the sites of Samtavro ancient settlement and graves

Stage 2: Brief lecture on archaeology and archaeological work Archaeology is a multidisciplinary science. Along with history and native literature (sources), geography, botany, physics, chemistry and mathematics (geometry), archaeology is closely linked to other subjects such as drawing, photography and restoration. All these disciplines are combined in Archaeology for Kids. Though the children do not have to participate in an archaeological survey, site measurement or on-site chemical analysis of artifacts, they will understand the importance of these activities and will witness amazing discoveries. They will be able to try everything else (including restoration) themselves.

Stage 3: Equip children with archaeological tools Stage 4: Make excavations

Stage 5: Analysis of archaeological discoveries


The program will proceed according to the age groups of kids. For example, if for the students of 4 th grade it is just an archaeological game with those old things, as they grow, their cognitive capacity increases. Therefore, at the end (e.g. for students of the11th grade) the program will include simulated excavations .

Stage 5: IV-VI grades Sorting of discoveries: - Metal-ceramic - dergebi- cups - bowls - Weapon-jewelry - Bronze- gold Overview of artifacts how Georgians lived in ancient times (based on the materials of the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages) - What kind of things human beings used in everyday life - What the tools and dishes were made of - What the purpose of these objects was - other, improvisation

Stage 5: VII-XI grades 1. Photography: overall view of cemetery, inventory and distinct objects 2. Compilation of archaeological logbook: - Measuring a grave - Using a compass-- finding east and west to show direction of a skeleton and a grave - Describing a type of grave - Sketching a grave (with inventory) - Registration and specification of materials discovered - Weighing and measurement of metal objects - Determining dimensions of ceramic objects: height, diameter of neck, trunk and stem, thickness of a ceramic object 3. Summary of the Expedition

Homework: significance of archaeology for studying the history of Georgia based on the example of Samtavro Cemetery and old settlement

Stage 6: Restoring ceramics

Stage 7: Awarding Young Arcaeologist certificates and souvenir

The Educational program Archaeology for kids is designed for school children and youth. However, experience has shown that first-year university students find these activities very interesting as well and take great pleasure in such excavations. Most important is how and for why the subject is presented to the participants. Experienced archaeologists and young professionals lead the program. Schoolteachers can also join the program and conduct field lessons.

Program Working Days and Time: Every weekday except Monday (not Saturday or Sunday). Work starts at 11:00 and goes to 14:00 Within one archaeological session, the site can accommodate about 30 pupils (one class), the min number of participants is ten. Tickets are available directly at the Mtskheta Museum; One Ticket for students is GEL5; Ticket price includes: Seeing Mtskheta Archaeological State Museum; Samtavro Cemetery and old settlement Work on archaeological site arranged for children and youth Ticket price does not include: Guide service (GEL 15) in museum.

Persons wishing to participate in the program can contact our program coordinator to negotiate the date and time, at the following number:

55

57 97 70

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