🏺 Part 1: Vocabulary and Key Concepts

1. What is archaeology?

The study of rocks and minerals

The study of past human life by examining objects left behind

The study of modern cultures

The study of animals and plants

2. An artifact is:

A natural rock formation

An object made or used by humans long ago

A type of fossil

A modern tool

3. Fill in the blanks using the words: archaeology, artifacts, culture

Scientists who study _____________ examine _____________ to learn about past _____________.

4. Which of these could be artifacts? (Check all that apply)

Ancient pottery bowls

Stone tools

A modern smartphone

Ancient jewelry

Cave paintings

🔍 Part 2: Understanding Artifacts

5. Imagine you found an ancient clay cooking pot. What could this artifact tell you about the people who made it? List at least two things:

6. Why do archaeologists study artifacts instead of just reading books about the past?

7. You are an archaeologist who just discovered a broken stone tool. Describe what you would do to learn more about it and the people who used it:

8. Complete this "I Can" statement: I can explain that archaeology is important because...

9. Extension Challenge: If you could design an artifact that would tell future archaeologists about your life today, what would it be and why?