Requirements
1. Tell what archaeology is and explain to your counselor how it differs or relates
to other fields of study such as anthropology, geology, paleontology, and history.
Explain how archaeology is different than artifact collecting or treasure hunting.
2. Describe each of the following steps of the archaeological process: site location,
development of background research and a research design, site survey and
fieldwork, artifact identification and examination, interpretation, preservation,
and information sharing.
3. Describe at least two ways in which archaeologists determine the age of sites,
structures, or artifacts. Explain what absolute dating and relative dating are.
4. Learn about a combined total of five archaeological sites located both within
and outside the United States.
(a) For EACH site you research, point it out on a map and explain how it was
discovered. Describe some of the information about the past that has been
found at each site. Explain how the information gained from the study of
these sites answers questions that archaeologists are asking and how the
information may be important to modern people. Compare the relative ages
of the sites you research.
(b) Choose ONE of the sites you picked and give a short presentation about
your findings to a Cub Scout pack, your Scout troop, your school class,
or another group.
5. Do the following:
(a) Learn about the federal laws and international conventions that protect
archaeological sites. Find out if your state, county, or local government has
regulations that apply to archaeological or historic sites.
(b) Identify a national, international, or local organization that helps to
protect archaeological sites.
6. Do the following:
(a) Explain why it is important to protect archaeological sites.
(b) Explain what people should do if they think they have found an artifact.
(c) Describe the ways in which you can be a protector of the past.
7. Do ONE of the following and discuss your findings with your counselor:
(a) Visit a museum to observe how artifacts aid in conveying history.
(b) Present to your counselor a significant family artifact/heirloom and
discuss its history.
(c) Make a list of the trash your family throws out during one week.
Discuss with your counselor what archaeologists might learn about you
and your family if they found your trash a thousand years from now.
8. Do either A or B of the following:
(a) With your parent’s and counselor’s permission, assist a qualified
archaeologist for at least eight hours with a project being worked on.
Projects may include surveying, site monitoring, site stabilization,
excavation, laboratory analysis, use of digital archaeological technology,
or public outreach. Describe your involvement in the project, what you
learned about archaeology, and the steps of archaeological inquiry.
Note: Visiting an archaeological site will require advance planning. An
archaeological site during study can be a dangerous place. While there, you
will need to closely follow the archaeologist’s directions and comply with all
the safety procedures. Be aware of the changing conditions at the site.
(b) With your counselor’s approval, take part in a simulated archaeological
project designed by a qualified archaeologist. The project must include the
use of a simulated archaeological site including artifacts and features for the
site. Using the steps of archaeological inquiry, analyze the “artifacts and
features” and document the spatial relationships of the “artifacts and
features” at the simulated site.
Explain how the environment and time can affect the interpretation of an
artifact and the overall archaeological site. Tell how you would share the
results of your analysis with other researchers and the public.
Note: To find out how to make a simulated archaeological site, talk with
a professional archaeologist, trained avocational archaeologist, museum
school instructor, junior high or high school science teacher, advisor from
a local archaeology society, or other qualified instructor.
9. Under the supervision of a qualified archaeologist or instructor, do ONE of
the following:
(a) Help prepare an archaeological exhibit for display in a museum, visitor
center, school, or other public area.
(b) Use the methods of experimental archaeology to re-create an item or to
practice a skill from the past. Write a brief report explaining the experiment
and its results.
10. Research a group of people who lived in your area more than 100 years ago.
Find out about their ways of life, including housing, clothing, arts and
crafts, tools, trade and markets, rituals and religions, and diets, and their
relationships with other groups of people in the area. Describe what you
would expect to find at an archaeological site where these people lived.
Explain how these people influenced your current community.
11. Identify three career opportunities in archaeology. Pick one and explain how
to prepare for such a career. Discuss with your counselor what education and
training are required, and explain why this profession might interest you.
Resources:
Scouting.org Merit Badges - Requirements
boyscouttrail.com Merit Badges