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Resources

Below are links to resources and activities that provide more information about archaeology. This list also includes programs through which you can get involved in studying and protecting the past.

Three students using shovels and trowels to excavate two units
Three students excavate a test unit exploring a historic trash dump on Michigan State University's campus. Image courtesy of the MSU Campus Archaeology Program.

Keywords

Confused about what some of the words mean? The Keywords page defines terms that are commonly used in archaeology. These are the words that have been bolded throughout this website.

Useful Websites

What is Archaeology? by Crow Canyon Archaeological Center

What is Archaeology? by the Society for American Archaeology

Archaeology 101 by Time Team America

Archaeological excavation and lab work by the city of Alexandria, Virginia

The Archaeological Process by Crow Canyon Archaeological Center

Ancestors, Archaeology and the Anishinabek: Bridging the Past into the Future: created by representatives from 10 sovereign Native American nations in Michigan, five State of Michigan agencies, two universities, and three private organizations.

Videos

What is Archaeology? by the Museum of London Archaeological Archive

How Do Archaeologists Find Sites? by the Archaeology in Annapolis Project

The Excavation Process: How We Excavate by Oregon State University Cooper's Ferry Site Crew

Image of smiling student counting and weighing archaeological animal remains
A student analyzing archaeological animal remains. Image courtesy of the MSU Campus Archaeology Program.

The Excavation Process: The Tools by Oregon State University Cooper's Ferry Site Crew

What do Archaeologists do in the Lab? by the Archaeology in Annapolis Project

Blogs

Artifact vs. Feature by Michigan State University Campus Archaeology Program.

Shovel Test Survey by Michigan State University Campus Archaeology Program.

Reading Stratigraphy by Michigan State University Campus Archaeology Program.

Activities

K-12 Archaeology Activities and Resources by the Society for American Archaeology.

K-12 Archaeology Activities and Resources by the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center.

Coloring Pages

One student wearing white digging a shovel test while a student in wide hat screens dirt
Two students dig a shovel test during an archaeological survey on Michigan State University's campus. Image courtesy of the MSU Campus Archaeology Program.

MSU Artifacts #1 by Michigan State University Campus Archaeology Program.

MSU Artifacts #2 by Michigan State University Campus Archaeology Program.

Tools of the Trade by Michigan State University Campus Archaeology Program.

Archaeology at Home

Help GlobalXplorer protect archaeological sites across the globe.

Help Ancient Lives translate writing from ancient Egyptian paper fragments (no knowlegde of ancient languages necessary!).

Help different archaeological projects with many tasks in MicroPasts.

Archaeological Summer Camp Programs

Excavate at Fort St. Joseph with the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project in Niles, MI.

Excavate at James Madison's Montpelier with Montpelier staff archaeologists in Orange County, VA.

Excavate in southwestern Illinois with the Center for American Archaeology in Kampsville, IL.