Discover Summer: Archaeology
August 14–August 20
We’ve come to our last week of the Discover Summer Challenge. Before we wrap things up, let’s dig into some archaeology! (See what we did there?)
Archaeology, the study of the past through what we leave behind, uses tools and history to show us a glimpse of the past. Join us this week as we learn about what has been discovered here in North Carolina, and how you can become an archaeologist. Don’t forget to tag us using #DiscoverSummerNC on social!
- LEARN THE HISTORY OF ARCHAEOLOGY IN NORTH CAROLINA
In 1883, geologist J. A. Holmes was the first to report on the archaeological remains of the North Carolina coastal plain. Learn more about the history of archaeology in North Carolina from NCpedia.
Want to learn more? The Office of State Archaeology provides multiple resources on artifacts and archaeology here in NC. This YouTube playlist is a resource on North Carolina’s 14,000-year history, from online lectures to interviews.
2. TRY SOME ARCHAEOLOGY AT HOME
The North Carolina Office of State Archaeology has created this guide to examining your yard like a real archaeological site! Learn about key archaeology concepts, such as site mapping, artifacts, and stratigraphy. Carefully document whatever you collect and share your findings with the rest of the family!
3. LEARN ABOUT UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY
The interactions of past North Carolinians with the Atlantic Ocean and more than 37,000 miles of rivers and inlets have left visible evidence, all part of our state’s unique underwater cultural heritage. Underwater archaeologists — also called maritime, marine, or nautical archaeologists — are trained in a special set of skills that enable them to perform scientific surveys and excavations in submerged environments.
Check out Submerged NC, presented in partnership by the NC Office of State Archaeology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary to learn more about their work to document, preserve, and honor this underwater cultural heritage and commemorate the sacrifices and accomplishments made by generations before us.
4. PRACTICE UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY TECHNIQUES
Finding and preserving artifacts from underwater sites presents special challenges. This educational packet contains loads of information about this special branch of archaeology, plus fun activities to do at home to explore the methods of underwater archaeologists and conservators.
5. LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CITIZEN ARCHAEOLOGIST
Maybe you have gone for a walk in a state park and you saw a piece of pottery laying on the ground. Or you were planting flowers in your front yard and you dug up an arrowhead. What do you do? Time to become a Citizen Archaeologist! First: Don’t touch it. Second: Follow this guide for Citizen Archaeologists provided by the NC Office of State Archaeology (OSA). Recording a site with OSA will help us learn more about our past and may prevent it from being damaged or destroyed.
6. LOOK AT 3D MODELS OF ARTIFACTS
This is the place where lovers of history and technology meet. Check out this website from The Research Laboratories of Archaeology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where you can examine more than 1200 3D models of artifacts from every angle. Make them bigger! Turn them around! Turn them upside down! Look inside! Outside! All the sides!
The Research Laboratories of Archaeology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was established in 1939. It is home to UNC-Chapel Hill’s Archaeology Curriculum and the North Carolina Archaeological Collection. It conducts research mostly in North Carolina and the US Southeast.
7. EXPLORE CURRENT NC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
North Carolina contains many thousands of prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, including thousands of shipwrecks in our coastal and inland waters. Explore this interactive map to see a sampling of important sites across North Carolina and learn more about the artifacts found in these locations.
