Mysteries of the ancient world
“Before we unlock the future, we must first find the keys to the past.”
Studying early human history introduces individuals to the challenges
and achievements of our early human ancestors. Their achievements in
art, architecture, politics, and engineering (to just name a few) create a
sense of awe when one considers the fairly short span of time it took to
create the modern society we see today. However, despite these
incredible achievements, many are mostly intrigued by the multitude of
unanswered mysteries of the ancient world. Why is this? Perhaps it is
because these unanswered questions were not meant to be answered or
the key to unlocking these mysteries have never been found…it is human
intrigue to find these answers!
In pairs, you will select from the abundant list of ancient mysteries
provided for you. You will then research and present to your classmates
the many revelations of your ancient mystery. This will be done using
PowerPoint and any other visuals.
Here is a summary of the expectations:



Any presentation format (i.e. PowerPoint etc)
A summary sheet of your presentation (see samples available)
A final quiz (date to be determined) based on the presentation
summary sheets.
When presenting, focus on the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is the nature of the mystery you are presenting?
Describe the mystery its historical implications.
Any progress in solving this mystery?
Any concluding thoughts about the mystery you are investigating
These presentations will commence every Friday after the second of
school. Presentations should be between 10-15 minutes. A schedule of
presentations will be posted shortly.
A list of potential topics is provided on the next page. If you can think of
other potential topics please let me know.
So, let us together then open the door to the mysteries of the ancient
world….
Evaluation: Rubric will be provided.
Your presentation date:
Topics
The Holy Grail
Lost City of Atlantis
The Heads of Easter Island
The Great Pyramid of Egypt
Terra-Cotta Warriors of China
Petra: The city of Stone
Piri Reis Map...what is the mystery?
Palenque..the Mayan city
The Catacombs of Rome
The Ark of the Covenant (yes…remember Indiana Jones?)
Was there a Garden of Eden?
Stonehenge…religious temple or an elaborate calendar?
Nazca Lines
The Dead Sea Scrolls
Noah’s Flood…did it really happen?
Angkor Wat…a lost city discovered.
El Dorado: The city of GOLD?
The Shroud of Turin
The Ice Man... ambushed or death from natural causes?
King Tutankhamun...murdered?
The Crystal Skulls of Mexico
Curse of the Mummy...is it real?
Nefertiti... what happened to her?
Piltdown Man...elaborate hoax or real hominid?
The Mayans...why did they suddenly disappear?
The Vinland Map... what is the controversy?
Mystery Friday PRESENTATION RUBRIC
Name (Topic):
CATEGORIES
KNOWLEDGE
0 –
49%
Date:
50 – 59%
LEVEL 1
60 – 69%
LEVEL 2
 limited under-
70 – 79%
LEVEL 3
80 - 100%
LEVEL 4
 some
standing of ideas
understanding of
and information
ideas and
 shows very limited
information
knowledge of the
 shows some
oral language form
knowledge of the
oral language form
 considerable under thorough understanding of ideas and
standing of ideas
information
and information
 shows considerable
 shows thorough
knowledge of the oral
knowledge of the
language form
oral language form
THINKING
 limited evidence of  some evidence of
 preparation, planning, organization
 critical and creative
thinking skills
 focus on overall
purpose for
presentation

COMMUNICATION
 clarity of articula-tion
of ideas
 communication to
audience for a
purpose
 use of the specific
oral language form
 appropriate use of
voice and diction
APPLICATION
 use of voice:
volume; pacing;
inflection;
enunciation
 body language:
facial expression; eye
contact; hand/ arm
movements; posture
 use of technology, AV materials, props,
blocking, staging,
costume (if
applicable)
 engagement with the
audience

 considerable
evidence of planning
 use of critical and
creative thinking
skills considerably
effective
 considerable degree
of focus on overall
purpose
 considerable clarity
of articulation
 clear sense of
audience/purpose
 shows considerable
command of the oral
language form
 voice and diction are
considerably
effective
 considerably
effective use of voice
 body language
considerably
effective
 considerable
competency with
language conventions
 uses appropriate
visual and audio aids
with considerable
effectiveness
 considerable engagement with audience
understanding of
information/ideas;
knowledge of oral
language form (debate,
reading, drama, oral
report, speech...)
COMMENTS:
inadequate
in most
areas




planning
uses critical and
creative thinking
skills with limited
effectiveness
limited degree of
focus on overall
purpose
clarity of
articulation limited
limited sense of
audience/purpose
shows very limited
command of the
oral language form
appropriate voice
and diction limited
 use of appropriate




voice limited in its
effectiveness
body language
limited in its
effectiveness
competence in use
of language conventions is limited
uses appropriate
visual and audio
aids with limited
effectiveness
limited audience
engagement






planning
use of critical and
creative thinking
skills somewhat
effective
some degree of
focus on overall
purpose
some clarity of
articulation
some sense of
audience/purpose
shows some
command of the
oral language form
some appropriate
voice and diction
 use of voice somewhat effective
 body language
somewhat effective
 some competency
with language
conventions
 uses appropriate
visual and audio
aids with some
effectiveness
 some engagement
with audience
 planning is thorough
and highly effective
 use of critical and
creative thinking
skills highly
effective
 highly focused on
overall purpose
 high degree of clear
articulation
 strong sense of
audience/purpose
 shows extensive
command of the oral
language form
 voice and diction are
considerably
effective/interesting
 highly effective use
of voice
 body language
highly effective
 demonstrates
extensive command
of language
conventions
 highly effective use
of appropriate visual
and audio aids
 high degree of
engagement with the
audience
TOTAL: