The AIA wants to help K–12 educators bring the fascinating material culture and methodological approaches of archaeology into their classrooms as a springboard for teaching scientific methods, critical thinking and writing, and analytical skills across the curriculum.

The AIA creates and provides teacher resources relevant to archaeology. These projects focus on ancient material culture and stress archaeological approaches and ways of thinking. Background information for the teacher will specify the nature of the evidence that survives. Some projects can be adapted for use with college students and adults. Our goal is to put students in the shoes of a variety of ancient people and enable them to compare ancient and modern lifestyles. We also aim to place them in the role of archaeologists, historians, and researchers who must observe closely and interpret critically. In carrying out projects, students will learn what evidence survives and understand how gaps in available information limit our understanding.

• are founded on material culture and written evidence from the ancient world.
• require critical thinking and promote the experience of authentic processes and approaches.
• encourage students to ask, "What is the evidence?" and "How do we know?"
• permit interdisciplinary and cross-curricular connections.
• provide teachers with templates to follow or adapt, including detailed instructions, pitfalls to watch for, bibliographies, student handouts, and grading rubrics, as relevant.

• Excavations
  • Layer Cake Archaeology
  • Transparent Shoebox Dig
  • Shoebox Dig
  • Schoolyard Dig
  • Mystery Cemetery Project


• Ancient Cultures
  • Greek Vase Painting Project
  • Roman Costume Project
  • Greco-Roman Feast
  • Cargoes from Three Continents

Submit a Project Proposal

• Lesson Plan Guidelines

Teachers wishing to submit lesson plans and project proposals should review the Lesson Plan Guidelines prior to submission. Queries in advance of submission may be submitted to education@aia.bu.edu.