Archaeology of a Coin Name __________________ Period ____
GOALS: To develop skills of observation, writing, and reasoning, and to learn why artifacts are useful to archaeologists.
INTRODUCTION: Archaeologists try to record every piece of information from an artifact, including the raw material it is made of, its source, its function, its role in society, its reflection of an individual's wealth and status, its intrinsic and relative value, and its adaptation or modification. For these reasons, even mundane objects are quite valuable to archaeologists. In fact, a piece of pottery is more valuable, in terms of information, than a gold bar. The bar only tells the archaeologists that someone had a lot of money. The pottery, however, can indicate kinship systems, trade networks, wealth, personal taste, etc.
ACTIVITIES:
1. Give each student a penny or a nickel and
have him or her record all the information they can deduce. Have students find the
following types of information, using reference material if necessary.
2. When finished discuss the significance of archaeologists studying every artifact they
uncover. Even small artifacts, like a penny or a nickel, can reveal a wealth of
information.
Archaeology of a Coin Name
__________________ Period ____
1. What is the date your coin was minted? _________
2. Whose picture is on the heads side of your coin? __________________________
3. Why do you think this person was chosen to be on your coin?
4. List any religious symbols or religious words on your coin.
5. Write down all of the phrases you find on your coin.
6 . What languages are on your coin?
7. Describe the building on your coin?
8. Name the building on your coin.