Museum of the Coastal Bend > Educational Programs

FOUND: A CLUE TO THE PAST

Students will review short authentic scenarios about the destruction of archeological sites.
Students will present dramatic interpretations of the scenarios (problems)
and discuss possible actions (solutions).

Objectives (TEKS): 4.23 & 7.22 Skills. The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms. 4.24 & 7.23 Skills The student uses problem solving and decision making skills, works independently, and with others in a variety of settings. 7.16 Citizenship The student understands the rights and responsibilities of Texas citizens. HS US History, World History & Geography The student uses problem solving and decision making processes.

Materials: Copy of scenarios for each student group. Additional information can be ordered from the Texas Historical Commission, Archeology Division, www.thc.state.tx.us 512-463-6090.

Background: Every year as many as 5,000 archeological sites are lost in Texas due to vandalism,
construction projects, and uninformed collecting. Current laws for the protection of sites and artifacts are limited to public land. When vandalism is noted on public land, officials should be called. On private land, the owner can do whatever he/she wants.

Student Activity: 1. The instructor tells students that each year many archeological sites are
disturbed and lost due to vandalism, construction projects, and uninformed collecting. As a result,
evidence of Texas heritage is lost and cannot be replaced. 2. Divide class into five (5) groups and
give each group a scenario. Students create a short skit based on the scenario (problem) including a possible action (solution).

Student product: Group skit portraying the scenario. Discussion of possible actions (solutions).

Closure: Students complete this sentence: “If I found an arrowhead in a state park, I would....”

Assessment/Evaluation: Each student will create a poster (8”x11”) or flyer relating the need to save archeological and historical sites.

Scenario cards for FOUND: A CLUE TO THE PAST

1. You are walking home from school with friends. You notice a new ditch opened along the
   street where bones and pottery are exposed. Some of your friends pull out pieces of bone.
   What would you do?
2. You and your dad go to a gun show at the fairgrounds. In one booth, you see some cannon
   balls that look interesting. The salesman tells you he got them in the bay when he was
   dragging a net for shrimp. What would you do?
3. You are fishing in the bay near the federal nature preserve. You see several people with
   shovels and screens digging into an embankment and removing large Native American pots.
   What would you do?
4. You have gone to a state park for a picnic with your family. In one section there is a large
   boulder with ancient symbols on it. You also see some initials sprayed with fresh paint and
   remember that you passed some youth with a paper bag on their way out of the area.
   What would you do?
5. You go to a garage sale in your neighborhood. On one table is a collection of arrow heads
   for sale for $1 each. The owner says he collected them on a hunting lease where the owner
   did not care. What would you do?

• FOUND: A CLUE TO THE PAST (PDF)
• VIP (very important people): PAST AND PRESENT (PDF)
• SETTLEMENTS ALONG THE COASTAL BEND (PDF)
• A LINE ABOUT TIME (PDF)
• SCAVENGER HUNT (PDF)
• ARCHEOLOGISTS UNCOVER STRATA (PDF)
• RESOURCES FOR TEACHING & LEARNING MORE (PDF)