Artifact Dig Project
An artifact is an object made by people long ago. Archaeologists study
artifacts to learn about past civilizations. You are on an artifact dig in your
home. The artifact that you are looking for is something that is special to
you or your family and has probably been in your family for a long time. It will
be added to an exhibit created by the town to honor each family in a local
museum.
*You are to create a Google Slide presentation about your selection; give
information about its historical relevance, and importance to being in the
exhibit.
Your task is to:
1. Select an artifact.
2. Write down what you know about it.
3. Make a list of questions you have about the artifact that you don’t know and would
like to know.
● Note: Use the planning guide to help you.
4. Interview at least 1 person in your family about the artifact and take detailed notes.
(These can be family members or other people related to the item like a local
historian).
● Use some of the suggested interview questions from class and this handout.
5. Using resources, such as the internet and library books to research about your
artifact. Research the time period of your object, what was going on in the world
then, major events, and where the item came from.
● Everyone’s will be different depending on the item.
6. Include a photograph(s) of your artifact, and explain why you chose this item.
7. Reflect on your findings about the object. Where did you learn the most about it?
Was everything you were told accurate? Did you answer all of your questions about
the object?
8. Final Presentation: Students will present their items to their classmates on the day
we visit the museum.
Presentation Requirements
but not limited to, each item may take up more than one slide:
(Slide 1) A title, your name, period, & picture of you.
(Slide 2) Introduce the artifact
⇘ What is it? How old is it? Describe it.
Some
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questions to help you describe it:
What is the artifact called?
What does it look like? — color, shape, size, etc.
Where does it come from? — country, company/manufacturer
What did it cost?
(Slide 3) Pictures of the artifact with captions
(Slide 4) Family history of the artifact (include interview)
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Why is it in your family?
How did your family get it?
How long has it been in your family?
What does it mean to your family?
Why did you pick this item?
(Slide 5) Historical Information & Facts
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Time period of the artifact (i.e. Civil War -1861)
Write down two major news events that occurred during this time period.
What was life like then?
Where there a lot of them?
What else were you able to learn about the item through the questioning & research
process?
(Slide 6) Reflection
● What did you learn most about your family while researching the artifact?
Artifact Dig Rubric
Name_________________
Grade_____________
ASPECTS
DESCRIPTION OF
ARTIFACT
4 = mastery, 3 = proficient, 2 = partially proficient, 1 = below
proficient,
0 = missing or not attempted
Complete description of the artifact physical
characteristics and initial understandings of the
importance of the artifact, and information known
about the artifact.
FAMILY CONNECTION
Focused, clear & specific. Writing shows why you
chose the item, and what it means to your family.
THE TIME PERIOD
Fully explains the time period the artifact was created
and/or was acquired based on research and
additional details found. Includes 2 news events from
the time.
REFLECTION
Reflection on the experience and what you learned
about your family.
MECHANICS
Using appropriate grammar and punctuation.
Information is logically organized according to
directions in the project sheet.
NEATNESS & VISUAL
Google presentation is completed with appropriate
font sizes, centering, all images are imported
correctly.
PICTURE OF ARTIFACT
Included image, clear copy, and neatly placed on
slide.
PICTURE OF SELF
& TITLE PAGE
Included image, clear copy, and neatly placed on
slide.
0-4
(1 point off per day late)