Chapter 13: Thera
Research and oral presentation: Assessment task
(Total marks: 20)
Date issued: ______________________
Date due: ______________________
This task will be in THREE parts: (a) Research (b) Oral (c) Research Log and
Bibliography. You will research Thera/Santorini, select artefacts from the site of
Akrotiri and prepare an artefact guide in which you describe and draw conclusions
about the information they reveal about the society. In addition, you will give an oral
presentation on one of the items you have researched.
Criteria: Specified in each part of the task.
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Antiquity 1, 3rd edition, Chapter 13
Part A: Research (30 marks)
Outcomes
P1.1
describe and explain the contribution of key people, groups, events,
institutions, societies and sites within the historical context
P3.1
locate, select and organise relevant information from a variety of sources
P3.3
comprehend sources and analyse them for their usefulness and reliability
P3.6
plan and present the findings of historical investigations, analysing and
synthesising information from a range of sources.
Task description
Research the town of Akrotiri on Thera (modern Santorini), then prepare an artefact
guide for THREE items from the site. You must choose TWO wall paintings and
ONE other artefact.
Your Artefact Guide should contain:

a picture of each item; photocopies or archaeologists’ sketches are acceptable

a description of each artefact, written in point form, in your own words.
Make sure that you refer to the following aspects where possible:

–
nature and function of the artefact
–
location and context
–
materials used
–
decoration/stylistic elements
–
inscriptions/text
–
relationship to other items.
an assessment of how historians can use each artefact to learn about life in
Thera/Santorini. Refer to aspects such as: trade, leisure, daily and family life,
religion, art, technology, eruption of the Thera volcano and destruction of
Akrotiri and structure of society

a 200- to 300-word description of each artefact.
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Antiquity 1, 3rd edition, Chapter 13
Criteria: Part A

accurate, comprehensive descriptions of the artefacts

well-structured analysis of religious, social, cultural and economic features of
Theran society

use of relevant illustrations of artefacts.
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Antiquity 1, 3rd edition, Chapter 13
Part B: Oral presentation (20 marks)
Outcomes
P4.2
communicate knowledge and understanding of historical features and issues
using appropriate oral and written forms
Task description
Choose ONE of the items you have researched for Part A and prepare:

an oral presentation for the class, in which you describe the item and discuss
its usefulness to an understanding of the society from which it comes

a worksheet for class members to complete which will help them to
understand and record the main aspects of your presentation; this worksheet
MUST be prepared and copied ready to hand out to the class before the lesson
on the due date. If you require your teacher to photocopy your worksheets,
make sure that you arrange this well BEFORE your presentation time.
Criteria: Part B

well structured and organised presentation that addresses all parts of the task

selection of material that is relevant to the topic

engagement and communication with the audience; the presentation should be
clear and the audience’s attention should be held for the duration; you should
know your material well enough to speak without notes

appropriate tone, volume, pace, intonation of voice

confident use of clear, well-structured diagrams and clear and appropriate
illustrations.
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Antiquity 1, 3rd edition, Chapter 13
Part C: Research log and bibliography (10 marks)
Outcomes
P3.6
plan and present the findings of historical investigations, analysing and
synthesising information from a range of sources
Task description

Keep a research log that records the development of the task. It should be
updated each time you work on your assessment task. Use the sheet provided
by the HSIE faculty as a template.
.
Submit your completed research log as part of the task.

Provide a full bibliography set out according to the model provided by the
HSIE faculty.

For THREE of the resources used, give a description of how and where they
were used in the task and provide an assessment of their reliability and
usefulness.
Criteria

good range depth and complexity of historical sources consulted

evidence of ability to analyse and synthesise information from a variety of
perspectives and sources

evidence of effective planning and review strategies that identify and manage
the competing demands of the complex task

evidence of effective use of time and resources to complete the historical
investigation.
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Antiquity 1, 3rd edition, Chapter 13
Marking criteria
Name: ______________________
Mark: ______________________
Part A: Research (30 marks)
Outcomes
P1.1
describe and explain the contribution of key people, groups, events,
institutions, societies and sites within the historical context
P3.1
locate, select and organise relevant information from a variety of sources
P3.3
comprehend sources and analyse them for their usefulness and reliability
P3.6
plan and present the findings of historical investigations, analysing and
synthesising information from a range of sources.
DESCRIPTORS
MARK
 accurately indicates the main, relevant features of Theran artefacts
 well chosen, clear illustrations of all items
 a detailed, relevant and perceptive analysis of how historians can use each artefact to
learn about life in Thera referring to several aspects
 a wide range of historical terms and concepts used, which are effectively integrated
27–30
 indicates the main features of Theran artefacts
 clear illustrations of all items
 a detailed, relevant analysis of how historians can use each artefact to learn about life
in Thera referring to a few aspects
 some historical terms and concepts used, which are mostly effectively integrated
21–26




indicates some features of Theran artifacts
illustrations of some items
describes artefacts making some links to life in Thera
a few historical terms and concepts used
12–20




indicates one or two features of Theran artefacts
illustrations of some or no items
makes one or two points about artefacts and life in Thera
unable to correctly use and/or identify appropriate historical terms
0-11
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Antiquity 1, 3rd edition, Chapter 13
Part B: Oral presentation (20 marks)
Outcome
P4.2
communicate knowledge and understanding of historical features and issues
using appropriate oral and written forms
CRITERIA
MARK
 very well-organised and structured presentation including illustrations of the item
 detailed description of the item
 integrated and detailed discussion of the item’s usefulness to an understanding of
Theran society
 very well constructed and clear worksheet
 very fluent speech, clear enunciation, modulated and projected voice
 excellent audience engagement and unobtrusive use of notes
18–20





well-organised and structured presentation including illustrations of the item
14–17
description of the item with some detail
detailed discussion of the item’s usefulness to an understanding of Theran society
well-constructed and clear worksheet
speaks reasonably fluently; enunciation is less clear, as are modulation and projection
of voice
 good audience engagement and unobtrusive use of notes





adequately structured presentation which may include illustrations of the item
attempted description of the item
some discussion of the item’s usefulness to an understanding of Theran society
adequate worksheet
does not speak very fluently; enunciation, modulation and projection of voice not
good enough to allow audience to readily follow the talk
 has some audience engagement; poor use of notes
9–13
 gives a poorly structured presentation with inappropriate or no illustrations of the
item
 little or no description of the item
 little or no discussion of the item’s usefulness to an understanding of Theran society
 provides an inadequate or no worksheet
 is a poor speaker; is difficult to hear or to allow audience to follow the talk
 has little or no audience engagement; mostly reading from notes
0-8
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Antiquity 1, 3rd edition, Chapter 13
Part C: Research log and bibliography (20 marks)
Outcome
P3.6
plan and present the findings of historical investigations, analysing and
synthesising information from a range of sources
DESCRIPTORS
MARK




use of 6 or more sources of a wide range and complexity
demonstration of excellent analysis and synthesis of varied information
excellent planning and review strategies to complete the task effectively
clear evidence of effective use of time and resources
18–20
 use of at least 5 sources of a some range and complexity
 demonstration of some analysis and synthesis of varied information
 satisfactory planning and review strategies to complete the task effectively
 satisfactory use of time and resources
14–17




use of fewer than 5 sources of limited range and complexity
an attempt at analysis and synthesis of information
an attempt at planning and review strategies to complete the task effectively
some evidence of effective use of time and resources
10–13




use of 1 or 2 sources of limited range and complexity
little or no attempt at analysis and synthesis of information
little or no attempt at planning and review strategies to complete the task effectively
little evidence of effective use of time and resources
0–9
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