Name:
Catal Huyuk Artifact Project and Presentation
Project Description: You are now an archeologist researching the site of Catal Huyuk. It is your
job to examine artifacts, explain their purpose, AND reproduce these artifacts for display at our
classroom museum. In order to complete this task, you will need to research the different types
of artifacts that have been found and understand what these artifacts tell us about the people of
Catal Huyuk. Below I have listed valuable resources for you to begin your research. You may
use additional resources, but remember to make sure that each source you use is reliable. Also
remember to evaluate your sources before using information from a website.
Expectations: You will need to create TWO different artifacts for your exhibit. You may
complete more than two. We will be creating cave paintings and a tool, using the flaking
technique, in class. The artifacts must be clearly labeled and provide a detailed description of
where they were found, materials used to create them, why they are important, and what they
tell us about this ancient culture.
*You do not have to limit your research to Catal Huyuk. You may also research artifacts from
the Paleolithic or Neolithic eras.
Suggested resources (if you find any other useful resources please let me know so I can add it to
the list!)
1. http://www.smm.org/catal/top.php

Once the website introduction has played, click on “Artifacts” to view the
different artifacts from the site.

Visit “Mysteries” to explore some of the explanations for items found at
the site.

Explore some of the videos the website offers. Click “Activities” and
under “Activities” click on “Video Tours and Interviews”.
2. http://www.catalhoyuk.com

Click on “News” and then “Newsletters” to explore the findings at the
site. The older newsletters have more information about artifacts that have
been found.
3. http://www.focusmm.com/civcty/cathyk04.htm

This site provides information about the architecture of Catal Huyuk. It
will be helpful if you wish to recreate an example of the housing people
lived in.
Name:
4. http://www.stoneageartifacts.com/

This site provides details about artifacts from the Paloelothic and
Neolithic eras.
We will be having an open house to show our exhibits to parents and friends.
Remember to do your best in order to create a detailed exhibit that will teach our
visitors about these ancient cultures.
Parents/Guardians and students: Please sign below so that I know you have read the
requirements and due date for the project. There will be no current events due during
the weeks of 11/11-11/29. Instead, I ask that students work on developing their museum
artifacts. All artifacts are due Monday, November 25th. PLEASE make sure that all of
your student’s supplies (specifically artifacts) are in a bag labeled with his or her name.
There will be a lot of things coming into the room that day from a lot of different
students. We will send invitations home inviting you to our museum gallery. If you
have any questions or need any materials, please contact me. I am really looking
forward to the opening of our museum!
Student Signature:
Date:
Parent/Guardian Signature:
Date:
Name:
Catal Huyuk Project and Presentation Rubric
Artifact
Creation
Artifact
Explanation
Exhibition
Total
Effective
Developing
Experimenting
5 Points
3 Points
1 Point
Artifacts look almost
identical to artifacts
found at the actual
archeological site. They
represent the materials
and supplies available
during that time period.
It is clear that a great
deal of research has
been done to recreate
these artifacts.
Artifacts look similar to
artifacts found at the
actual archeological
site. They are
somewhat
representative of the
materials and supplies
available during that
time period. More
research could have
been done to recreate
these artifacts.
Artifacts do not look
similar to artifacts found
at the actual
archeological site. They
do not represent the
materials and supplies
available during that
time period. It does not
seem that any research
was done to recreate
these artifacts.
Artifacts are clearly
labeled and provide a
detailed description of
where they were found,
materials used to create
them, why they are
important, and what
they tell us about this
ancient culture.
Artifacts are missing
one of the following
components: clearly
labeled, provide a
detailed description of
where they were found,
materials used to create
them, why they are
important, or what they
tell us about this ancient
culture.
Artifacts are missing two
or more of the following
components: clearly
labeled, provide a
detailed description of
where they were found,
materials used to create
them, why they are
important, or what they
tell us about this ancient
culture.
The overall exhibit is
detailed, organized, and
very creative. You used
correct grammar,
punctuation, and
spelling, and used
complete sentences.
Museum visitors will
learn a great deal.
The overall exhibit was
accurate and creative.
Your grammar,
punctuation, and
spelling were correct
most of the time. More
detail and/or better
organization would have
made the exhibit even
stronger, but museum
visitors will learn some
interesting things.
The overall exhibit
would have benefited
from additional detail
and organization.
Reviewing grammar,
punctuation, and
spelling can always help
your work. Think about
what you might have
added to improve the
museum visitors'
learning experience.
/15 points
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*Catal Huyuk Project Extra Credit Option*
There are many mysteries that still surround the ancient city of Catal Huyuk.
Archeologists uncover a great deal of artifacts, but cannot always explain these artifacts
or what their purpose was during this time. For extra credit, research and explain one of
these mysteries and present it with your exhibition. You can receive up to 3 extra credit
points. In order to receive the full 3 points, you must clearly explain the mystery and
describe the different theories surrounding the mystery.
* Many mysteries are discussed at http://www.smm.org/catal/top.php
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Artifact Creation Check-List
Use this outline as a guide to help you develop all of the required explanations for
your exhibit. I do not want you to turn this in with your exhibit. Instead, use
notecards, plain or decorative paper, etc. to hand write or type the explanations about
each of your artifacts. This will allow visitors to understand how your artifacts were
created and what it tells us about these ancient civilizations.
1. Artifact Type: Cave Painting/Mural
-Location found
-Materials used to create it
-What it tells us about this ancient civilization:
-Any other interesting details:
2. Artifact Type: Tool
-Location found
-Materials used to create it
-What it tells us about this ancient civilization
-Any other interesting details:
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3. Artifact Type:
-Location found
-Materials used to create it
-What it tells us about this ancient civilization
-Any other interesting details:
4. Artifact Type:
-Location found
-Materials used to create it
-What it tells us about this ancient civilization
-Any other interesting details: