Dig then devour in this archeology activity

Thanks to scientists, we know a lot about humans, wildlife and the earth. But there are so many different scientists out there! At the Forest Preserve District of Will County, we rely on the knowledge of biologists and ecologists to best learn about the animals and plants in the preserves. But sometimes to understand what is going on today, you have to look to the past.

(Photo by Jenna Krukowski)

And this is where other “ists” come in — archaeologists, paleontologists and geologists to name a few. Archaeologists are interested in objects that people living hundreds or thousands of years ago made, used and left behind. Those objects are called artifacts. Paleontologists study ancient wildlife. These plants and animals are no longer alive, but they left clues to their existence in fossils! Finally, geologists study the earth itself. 

What is one thing archaeologists, paleontologists and geologists have in common? They dig to find answers. These scientists do not just put their shovel in the ground and hope to find something. They study the land then pick a specific spot to dig where they think artifacts or fossils might be. This digging with a purpose is called excavation.

Have you ever dug a hole in a yard or field and then tried to fill the hole back in? It doesn’t always look the same. Archaeologists have this problem too. Excavating a site destroys the soil layers. This means that they can’t go back and repeat the process if they miss a clue the first time. They must be very careful not to damage any hidden artifacts as they dig. This is why patience and attention to detail can be the most useful tools! 

Now it is your turn to be an archaeologist, paleontologist or geologist and excavate some clues about the past!

Materials

• Cookie excavation printout linked here

• Toothpicks 

• A chocolate chip cookie (or any chunky cookie will do) 

• A pencil 

• Patience! 

Directions

1. Imagine your cookie is the dig site. All those chocolate chips are the fossils or artifacts you want to find and excavate. Don’t smash your cookie. That might destroy any chocolate chips hidden in it.

   
   

   

   (Photo by Jenna Krukowski)

2. Start by placing your cookie on Grid A on your worksheet. Anywhere will do. Notice the letters and the numbers on the top and side of the grid. These are the coordinates. What coordinates are at the very top, bottom, left and right side of the cookie?  

3. A scientist takes detailed notes. Use these coordinates to sketch the perimeter of the cookie on Grid B. Next, sketch any chocolate chips you see onto Grid B. That is where you start your excavation.

   
   

   

   (Photo by Jenna Krukowski)

4. Time to start digging! Use toothpicks to scratch away the cookie and free the chocolate chips.

   
   

5. Did you find any hidden chocolate chips? Draw them on Grid A. You are done when all the chocolate chips have been excavated and documented on Grid A.

How did you do? Test this dig with different types of cookies — soft, hard, chewy, soggy. Archaeologists look for artifacts in all different kinds of environments. 

Unlike a real archeological dig, you can now eat your artifacts!