DIG IT - SCENE ONE:
E1:
Whoa! It’s dark in here. This is scary … there it is! Tut! I’m telling you this is the best thing
you’ve ever seen.
E2:
But Taki! I can’t see a thing! Ethiopia is scary in the dark!
E3:
Your basement is scary in the dark to you, Tut! You’ve got to see what we found yesterday. I’m
telling you, it must be the greatest archeological discovery ever!
E4:
But why do we have to look for it in the dark?
E1:
Because Doctor Gray and Doctor Johanson probably wouldn’t like us poking around in their dig
before they announce their discovery. Besides, it’s spookier this way. This is a show you know.
Explorers: AHHHHHH!
E2:
Wha …wha…what is it, Rahm?
E3:
They’re bones, Tut! Bones! And according to my best carbon dating, they’re more than 3 million
years old.
E4:
Wow! Three million years old. That makes them one of the oldest skeletons ever found. Can I
touch it?
E1:
We…e…ll, I don’t know if that’s a very good idea.
E2:
What was that?
E3:
I don’t know, but it’s not funny.
E4:
Who’s laughing?
Skeletons: Hee hee hee …ah cut it out!
Explorers: YIKES!!
E1:
Cut what out? What are you talking about?
E2:
I didn’t say anything.
Skeletons: BOOO!
Explorers: AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
S1&2:
Hello, kids!
S3&4:
Hi there!
S5&6:
Howdy!
Explorers: AHHHHHHHHHHHH!
S1:
Kinda jumpy, aren’t ya guys?
S2:
What’s the matter?
S3:
Haven’t you ever seen a real fossil before?
Explorers: AHHHHHHHHHHHH!
S4:
Good grief! Look, I’ve been lying around here for 3 million years.
S5:
I’ve got calcium deposits older than the two of you
S6:
Can’t we just be friends?
E3:
But you’re a … a… skeleton.
S1:
Boy, we’ve got a smart one here!
S2:
Next you’ll be a contestant on Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader ?
E4:
But skeletons can’t talk …can they?
S3:
DUH! Well, I don’t know. Let’s see …am I talking or not?
S4:
Wait till I decide to sing buddy … you ain’t heard nothin’ yet!
Explorers: WOW!
S5:
In a way, all fossils can talk. By studying us, you can tell a whole lot about things that happened in
the world a long time ago.
S6:
I know that studying history is a good way to learn about where we came from, where we are and
where we are going.
S1:
Now you’re talking.
Skeletons: Now, come on!
S2:
Let my friends and me show you a little of what has happened in the world since we lay down here
Skeletons: So long, long ago.
Explorers: Weird! Totally weird!
SONG ONE: SO LONG AGO
SCENE TWO - Mesopotamia
E1:
Wow, Lucy! Those are some interesting friends you have there.
S3:
Well, what do you expect, Taki?
S4:
But there is still a lot we can learn from them about the past.
E2:
Who are those people over there?
S5:
Ah good question, Tut! Those are the Sumerians from the land of Mesopotamia.
S6:
What you’re looking at there is pretty typical for 3000 BC. That guy is the famous
Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh:
People! People! Work with me, now! We’ve got to work together!
One worker:
Who died and made him King?
Gilgamesh:
I heard that! Now look, I know you’re all used to work independently and getting along just
fine but it is 110 degrees here and this land is as dry as a desert.
Enkidu:
Sir! Sir!
Gilgamesh:
What is it, Enkidu, my valiant friend and servant?
Enkidu:
Sir it is a desert…
Gigamesh:
Okay, so it IS a desert. But if we just work together a little bit, I think we can survive
here and maybe even create one of the first great civilizations.
Enkidu:
Gilgamesh is right, everybody. Working together, we can make sure that nobody messes
with Mesopotamia!
Gilgamesh:
Well put, Enkidu! Well put!
Enkidu:
Thank you, sir!
Gilgamesh:
Now look, we’ve got rivers on both sides of this plain and what are they called?
All:
Rivers!
Gilgamesh:
I know that! But what are the names of these rivers?
All:
The Tigris and the Euphrates.
Gilgamesh:
A plus! They’ve allowed our production of farm goods to go way up. So what’s the problem?
Enkidu:
The problem, sir, is that we need a more efficient way to transport these goods to market.
Gilgamesh:
Right! Right! Right you are, Enkidu. Well, who’s got a suggestion?
Wheel Inventor:
Sir, if I might suggest … I’ve been working on a small, round invention that I think might
have great possibilities.
Gilgamesh:
Hmmmm! I can’t see it myself but let’s go ahead and give it a try what’s next?
Money Maker:
Well, sir, I’ve been working on a system of currency that I think might help us keep track
of what we trade and what we owe.
Gilgamesh:
A capital idea! Write it down!
All:
Write it down?
Enkidu:
Write it down, sir?
Gilgamesh:
Figure it out, Enkidu! I can’t do everything! I’m so proud of all of you. At this rate, we
should be able to build a civilization that lasts for thousands of years, right here between
our own two beautiful rivers!
SONG TWO—THE LAND BETWEEN TWO RIVERS
SCENE THREE - Egypt
E3:
Whom do we get to see next, Lucy?
E4:
Yeah, I never knew history could be so … so … alive!
S1:
Alive? Well, we’ll see about that. Listen up!
S2:
Here comes King Zoser of Egypt and his trusted servant, Imhotep.
E1:
Wow, they look pretty good considering they lived four thousand years ago!
Imhotep:
King Zoser! Grain is scarce.
Peasant 1
I’ve got no grain!
Imhotep:
The fruit has all dried up!
Peasant 2
Look at my fruit! It’s completely dried up!
Imhotep:
The water is gone!
Peasant 3
I’m so thirsty!
Imhotep:
People are so desperate that they are robbing their neighbors.
Peasant 4: Wow! Look at that!
All:
“Woe is me! Woe is me!”
Imhotep:
Children are crying and old people are sad as can be! What are we going to do?
Zoser:
I know! Build me a pyramid! But first I must learn the name of the God of the Nile. Then we can
offer sacrifices to that god. And he will help us. Everybody! Go to sleep at once!
Khnum:
I am Khnum. That’s K-H-N-U-M. The H is silent. I know the River Nile, when it covers the fields,
it gives them life. Now the Nile will pour over the land without stopping. Plants will grow, bowing
down with fruit. The years of starvation will be over. Thank you and good night!
Zoser:
Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow Egyptians, I have had a marvelous and rather brief dream. The
name of the God of the Nile is Khnum. That’s K-H- oh never mine. We must offer him gifts. The
years of hunger have ended. Now we can build the great Egyptian civilization that people will talk
about for generations to come. I know you’re hungry, but first things first. So, we’ll start with a
giant pyramid, which shall be my tomb!
SONG 3 - IN MY TOMB
SCENE FOUR - Asia
E2:
Wow! I never realized that ancient Egypt dominated the entire earth for like, three thousand
years.
S3:
Well, not the entire Earth, Taki but they really were an amazing civilization.
E3:
What else was going on at that time that could possibly be as exciting as building pyramids?
S4:
Tut! Tut! Little Tut! Very good question and to help me answer it, let me introduce you to my good
and very wise friend, Confucius.
Confucius: Confucius says: Good afternoon young and curious friends of eras still to come.
Explorers: Good afternoon, sir.
Confucius: Confucius says: Since you asked, I might inform you that at the same moment that Egypt was
flourishing, we of the East were creating dynasties of our own.
E4:
Does he always talk like that?
Confucius: Confucius says: I heard that.
S5:
Confucius was a brilliant teacher some 2500 years ago and he’s right.
S6:
While Egypt flourished in the West, India and the dynasties of China were thriving in the East.
SONG 4: EMPIRES OF THE EAST
SCENE FIVE: GREECE
Chorus:
WE ARE THE CHORUS OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS
WE HAVE TO ACT TOGETHER SO WE PRACTICE FOR WEEKS
LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY FOR WHEN WE SPEAK
WE WILL TELL YOU OF THE WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS.
Sophocles:
No, No, that will never do! Nobody will believe you if you don’t give it more emotion! Now
please … one more time with feeling!
Chorus:
WE ARE THE CHORUS OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS
WE HAVE TO ACT TOGETHER SO WE PRACTICE FOR WEEKS
LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY FOR WHEN WE SPEAK
WE WILL TELL YOU OF THE WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS.
Herodotus:
How’s it going, Sophocles?
Ephorus:
Is the play almost finished?
Sophocles:
Terrible, just terrible, Herodotus and Ephorus. The play festival in Athens is less than a
week away and I can’t get this chorus to work together for anything.
Herodotus:
Well, what’s the new play about anyway?
Ephorus:
Maybe we can help!
Sophocles:
It’s supposed to be about all the wonderful things of Greece that will be around for
thousands of years after we are all dead and gone.
Herodotus:
Sounds interesting.
Sophocles:
It is interesting but I can’t seem to come up with the right hook to tie it all together.
Ephorus:
Herodutus:
Let’s call in some Gods and Goddesses for ideas!
Here they come: Zeus, Apollo, Athena, Nike, and Hera. Any ideas? You go first, Zeus.
After all, you are the most powerful of gods.
Zeus:
How about … “The Odyssey and don’t forget to add a THUNDERBOLT for
power!
Sophocles:
No Homer beat me to it. What do you think Apollo god of music?
Apollo:
Well, how about … “Greece: The Musical!”
Gods/Goddesses: Ew Ew Ew, honey…
Sophocles:
It will never fly. Hey Athena, goddess of wisdom, YOU must have a good idea!
Athena:
You call this a challenge? This is child’s play. How about …. a fable about…. a
Hare…and a ……tortoise
Sophocles:
Are you kidding me? Have you ever heard of Aesop? Please, Hera queen of the Gods tell
me you have a novel thought.
Hera:
Not really, but what did you expect? We’re in MYTHS for goodness sakes. After all, we
are just gods and goddesses who live on nectar and ambrosia. Nike the goddesses of
victory do you have anything to add?
Nike:
How about ….JUST DO IT!
All gods
YEAH!!!! …… Hmmmmmmm!
Chorus:
HOW ABOUT GREECE IS THE WORD?
Sophocles:
What? What did you say?
Chorus:
GREECE, GREECE IS THE WORD
AND GIVE IT A GOOD DANCE GROOVE.
Sophocles:
That’s it!!!
Chorus:
GLAD YOU THOUGHT OF IT (chorus rolls their eyes)
SONG 5 GREECE IS THE WORD
SCENE SIX: ROME
E1:
Gee, I had no idea that Ancient Greece had such a lasting effect on the world.
E2:
This is just great. No bones about it, you really know your stuff.
E3:
Get it? No bones about it? Huh? Get it?
S1:
I get it kid. You’re right Taki, Greece did have a huge impact on the world as did the ancient
Romans.
E4:
Oh, I remember! The Romans were the first to try a real Republic.
S2:
Not to mention expanding to one of the most powerful Empires that ever existed.
S3:
Why, you can still see signs of ancient Rome as far away as Morocco, Iraq, and even England.
Explorers: WOW!
S4:
Wow is right! And legend says it all started with twin brothers and their dream to build a city.
Remus:
No, Romulus! I’m telling you, I had a dream and in this dream I saw six vultures flying over the
exact spot where we shall build a city.
Romulus:
No, Remus! I too had a dream and in my dream I saw 12 vultures flying over the spot where
We were found as babies in that basket and raised by that wolf! 12 is more than 6, and so that is
where we should build the city!
Remus:
6 is an omen from the gods that the spot I chose is right!
Romulus:
12 is a bigger omen!
Remus:
6!
Romulus:
12!
Remus:
6!
Romulus:
12!
Remus:
I’m telling, Mom!
Romulus:
What does she care? She’s a wolf for Pete’s sake! Now, I must hit you with this rock.
Romulus:
And I’ll call it Rome.
Julia:
Hey, Romulus, how’s Rome coming along?
Claudia:
Yeah, Romulus! Heard you were having some problems with your aqueducts.
Romulus:
Look guys! It can’t be built in a day, you know.
Julia:
No need to be snippy, Romulus!
Claudia:
I just hope it’s ready for Caesar’s big bash on Saturday night.
Caesar:
Yes! Mark your calendars and check out your sundial cause you won’t want to miss my bash!
Julia:
Oh, rats! I forgot all about the big party and I don’t have a thing to wear!
Claudia:
Don’t worry, Julia. The word is out that dress is white Toga, so you’re all set.
Julia:
Togas! Great! I’ve got a linen closet full of them.
Livia:
I’ve got the perfect wig and necklace to wear too, but can anybody give me directions?
Caesar:
Directions? Don’t you know all roads lead to Rome? Just turn left at the Colosseum, Livia.
Claudia:
Well then, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!
SONG 6:
TOGA PARTY TONIGHT
SCENE 7: ANCIENT MALI
S5:
Is there any place else you want to visit before we give these bones a rest?
S6:
Yes, these old bones are starting to ache.
E1:
Well, there is one more ancient civilization we study for our Virginia SOLS.
E2:
It’s the West African Empire of Mali.
E3:
It really would be great to finish our adventure there.
E4:
Do you have time for one more place?
S1:
Time? We have nothing BUT time!
S2:
Good Golly Miss Molly! Let’s finish with Mali!
S3:
After all, about 800 years ago this empire was one of the largest and strongest countries in the
world.
S4:
Most of what we know about Mali’s history comes from the tales shared by griots.
Sapienne:
Griots are storytellers that told stories which passed from family to family.
Griot 1:
Welcome! We are griots, the storytellers of Mali and we will be sharing with you the story of
our greatest King, Mansa Musa.
Griot 2:
Mansa is our word for king. Mansa Musa began as the leader of Mali in 1307 and he was the
Grandson of Sundiata, our first king.
Griot 3:
Soon Mansa Musa will arrive looking powerful and regal and his followers will be getting
ready for their great journey. Look! There he is now!
M.Musa:
Good day! I wish you all good health. It is time for our journey to begin. We will share
our wealth and tell all about the powerful empire of Mali.
Traveler 1: I am nervous about our caravan 3,000 miles across the Sahara desert. It is very dangerous and
the temperature can reach 130 degrees.
Traveler 2: We will survive by trading our gold and salt for food and water and sometimes traveling at night
using the stars for light.
Traveler 3: And we are not alone. After all, we are taking 60,000 people with us!
Traveler 1: I can’t believe we are bringing so much gold!
Traveler 2: Each camel has 300 pounds of gold dust. How will we bring all of this with us?
Traveler 3: Stop complaining so much! It is the camels that are carrying the heavy load.
Griot 1:
And so the caravan crossed the Sahara desert.
Griot 2:
On their journey they met many people.
Griot 3:
They met poets, builders, and scholars. Mansa Musa told them all about the wonders of Mali and
many came back with him
M.Musa:
Very good! Very good! We have arrived back safely in Mali and now we must build a great city in
Timbuktu.
Builder:
I will build mosques so that Muslims may worship.
Scholar:
I will build universities so that people may learn and study.
Poet:
I will write stories and poems about the amazing empire of Mali.
Griot 1:
Salt comes from the North and gold comes from the South.
Griot 2:
But the treasures of wisdom are only to be found in Timbuktu.
Griot 3:
And because of the wisdom of Mansa Musa, the whole world knows about this great
Civilization and so ends our tale of our greatest king.
M.Musa:
Wait! Wait! This is not over yet. This is Africa…my country. We need dancing and drumming, so
let’s get started!
FINAL SCENE
S5:
Well that’s probably enough for one day.
E4:
This has been such an amazing adventure. I feel that I have learned so much.
E1:
No kidding! My brain can’t hold another thing!
S6:
The great thing about studying the past is that you can learn so much about who we are and
who we might become.
E2:
Doesn’t that make you feel very, very small and insignificant, Lucy?
S1:
Not really, Rahm. It just makes me feel a part of something bigger than myself.
It makes me realize that everything anybody ever did before me changed the world for me.
E3:
That means that everything we do will change the world for those who follow us!
E4:
That’s awesome!
All:
We matter!
E1&E2:
Here’s to the past, both big and small!
E3&E4:
And here’s to the future for one and all!
All Cheer including Students on the risers
HERE’S TO THE FUTURE –
SO LONG AGO - REPRISE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS