Unearthing Potential: Using Earth Rock Ovens as a High-Impact Practice in the Undergraduate Archaeology Course

Summary

This is an abstract from the "AI-Proof Learning: Food-Centered Experimental Archaeology in the Classroom" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

High-impact practices (HIPs) using hands-on activities, experiential learning, and collaborative learning employ methods that educators in archaeology have already been using for decades. The pedagogical push to use HIPs recently involves widespread recognition that not only do these methods work to engage students, they rock! This paper explores the use of hot rock cookery as a high-impact practice and evidence-based example of experimental archaeology for undergraduate courses. The method involves heating rocks in a small pit to generate slow heat for cooking. A simple version of the oven and the materials needed for a smaller classroom project is described, as well as a longer module with a complementary lecture and readings. Students construct the oven and cook food using local materials, while learning about its significance and archaeological evidence of hot rock cookery in prehistory. Discussion includes (1) how students gain an understanding of archaeological concepts and ancient foodways through this method; and (2) how instructors can add this activity to their archaeology courses to increase student engagement beyond traditional assignments.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• AI-Proof Learning: Food-Centered Experimental Archaeology in the Classroom   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 37872.0