Team Hubotics Mini Archaeological Dig Adventure

You will need:

• A small to medium container (e.g. foil-lined shoe box, medium to large plastic storage box, small plastic dustbin or small plastic paddling pool)
• Enough potting or garden soil and sand (optional) to fill the container
• A ruler
• A suitable outdoor or indoor space (you may want to place a plastic sheet under the container to catch any spillages)
• Artifact Recording Sheets (from the toolkit below!)

Artifacts to Bury:

Choose a mix of organic (things that once lived) and inorganic (things that never lived) objects to make it more realistic:

• Inorganic: pottery pieces (e.g. piece of broken cup or plant pots), old coins or keys, stone/flint, beads, pieces of plastic (remember to put any plastic in the top layer!)
• Organic: leaves, twigs, acorns, pieces of wood, empty shells, apple core, pieces of fabric or paper

Bury your artifacts:

1. Prepare your dig site at least one day in advance of your dig.
2. Put about a 10cm layer of soil/sand into the container and bury two or three of the artifacts in this layer.
3. Add another 10cm of soil or sand and bury two or three more artifacts.
4. Continue to do this until you reach almost the top of the container.
5. Add a top layer of soil ensuring all your artifacts are fully covered.
6. Add water to keep the soil moist (but not waterlogged). Leave the container overnight or for up to 8 weeks (the longer you leave it the more changes you will see!).

You will need:

• Your prepared excavation pit
• Your Artifact Recording Sheets, Grid, and Journal (from the toolkit below!)
• Plastic sheeting or newspapers
• A 'finds tray' (a plastic seed box is ideal)
• Container to put the excavated soil in (like a bucket)
• Small trowel or other digging tool (e.g. spoon, small garden hand spade)
• Old toothbrush and bowl of water to clean artifacts
• Pencil and ruler
• Gloves and apron (optional)

Digging up your artifacts:

1. Put your prepared pit on to the plastic sheet or newspapers.
2. Set out your finds tray next to you.
3. Excavate your container by removing 5cm deep layers of soil at a time, working across the pit with your trowel.
4. Scoop out excavated soil and put it into a bucket or onto the plastic sheet.
5. Before you remove any artifacts you find, carefully clear the soil from around the edges.
6. Record the location for each one on the Archaeological Dig Recording Grid (e.g. B4).
7. Then carefully remove artifacts from the soil and put them in the finds tray.
8. Clean stones, shells and pottery with a toothbrush and water. Do not wash wood, paper, metal, or fabric—clean these with a dry, soft brush.
9. Record your artifacts on the Artifact Recording Sheets.
10. Keep excavating in layers until you reach the bottom!

You have now excavated your artifacts, examined them and recorded what you have found! Important finds are often displayed in museums, like the Morris Museum right here in Morristown, NJ!

You can now create your own display for your artifacts. Place labels next to each one to let people know the most important information.

Artifact Label Template:

"Excavation is only one part of my job. Next, we look at what we found and figure out what those objects say about the people that made them! Just like the exhibits at the Morris Museum, we can tell the stories of the past through these objects." - Ayaana

Once you have created your display, why not share photos of your Team Hubotics mini museum displays with us on social media? Tag @TeamHubotics and @MorrisMuseumNJ!