Education and Outreach
NCArchaeology@Home
Resources for Parents, Teachers, and Students
We have gathered a collection of online content and educational resources from the OSA and our partners, in one place for teachers, students, parents, and anyone looking for enriching experiences, regardless of their location.
Here you’ll find lesson plans, educator resources, videos, and blogs about all aspects of archaeology on land and underwater, through 14,000 years of North Carolina's human history.
For additional content from all of our state’s natural and cultural institutions, please visit NCLearn!
Questions, comments, or requests? Contact us at archaeology@dncr.nc.gov!
Archaeology in Your Backyard!
- Site Mapping - Make a map of your backyard with paper and crayons or markers, being sure to include any "features" like trees, furniture, or changes in ground cover.
- Pedestrian Survey - Just as an archaeologist would look for artifacts in a plowed field, collect or photograph any objects on the ground in your yard. Discuss what activities these artifacts tell you might have happened there.
- Washing Artifacts - Clean rocks or "artifacts" found in your backyard (with permission!) with water and old paintbrushes or toothbrushes. Allow them to dry so you you can examine their details.
- Artifact Documentation - Draw pictures of your artifacts. Write down what you observe about them (for more advanced skills) and take measurements with a ruler.
What differences do you see in the artifacts you have collected? How are they similar? What might they have been used for in the past? What activities may have taken place in your backyard based on what you found?
Courtesy of Shane Petersen, NCDOT Archaeologist
Online Lectures
Archaeology at the Pauli Murray Family Home: The State of Research 2019
Early Human Life on the Southeastern Coastal Plain
From Grave Markers to Unmarked Graves: Archaeological Insights of Historic Cemeteries
Hidden Beneath the Waves: Exploring the Underwater Cultural Heritage of NC
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STEM Highlight
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The Science of Archaeology
Did you know archaeology is considered a science? From the mountains to the coast, archaeologists in North Carolina rely on a variety of scientific approaches and technological advances to examine our state’s rich history and preserve it for future generations. Join us for a virtual exploration of terrestrial and underwater archaeology throughout North Carolina’s unique landscapes! Learn about the tools we use to investigate and document the lives of people whose voices can no longer be heard and how we protect our state’s vibrant and diverse past.
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STEM Highlight
