Cemeteries as Classrooms: Creating a Relevant and Sustainable Archaeology Education Program

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Studying Human Behavior within Cemeteries (General Sessions)" , at the 2021 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Despite promoting K-12 education initiatives for decades, public archaeologists struggle to reach precollegiate audiences. To investigate replicable and accessible methods of archaeology education and to better understand teacher needs and motivations, I created and evaluated an educational program which engages students with local historic cemeteries: G.R.A.V.E (Gravestone Research And Volunteer-Based Education). Hands-on efforts are often excavation-based and limited by access to professional archaeologists; however, cemetery recording is nondestructive, making the program accessible and sustainable. Cemeteries also provide a forum for project-based learning and civic engagement. Materials were revised through surveys, guided observations, and summative interviews, and every participant indicated the program was user-friendly, relevant, and meaningful. Administrative support, passionate teachers, and carefully crafted lessons contributed to programmatic success, indicating collaborative efforts can produce hands-on archaeology programming that is mutually rewarding for archaeologists, educators, and students. I'll also offer a few thoughts on this program in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Studying Human Behavior within Cemeteries (General Sessions)   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2021

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology