Setting up the grid system at Ashkelon

Here on the dig, I work in grid 51-but we also have volunteers working in grid 16 and 20. I knew these were areas around our dig site, but I wasn't quite sure how these grids were numbered. 

I also noticed that when I was digging, we have three different squares within our grid, and finer squares within the big one that shows where all of our artifacts were coming from.  To get a better sense of how all these grids were laid out, I asked one of the square supervisors (go to this link to see what a square supervisor does!), Jonathan, to tell me how our dig at Ashkelon was divided up.

Junior Archaeologist Assignment:

Choose a room in your house and draw a map of it in your log book. What do you think the best way is to section it off? Divide your room into 10 equal squares (this may be easier if you use graph paper) and make notes of what is located in each of the squares. Take 3 things out of the room and have someone else in your family use the map to put the items back where they belong based on the information from the grid.

Question of the day:

Why do you think it is so important for archaeologists to use grids so they know exactly where all of the artifacts came from? Why would this information be important when they are identifying it?

Why do we have you keep log books?

In my science class, I have students keep science journals to record their data, answer questions, write procedures, and look back to reflect on past experiments.

Teachers don't just have you do this for fun, we are training you how to be good scientists! I was not surprised to see how many archaeologists here use log books every day in the grid to record their findings. With the internet being unpredictable and the fact that everyone has to keep track of a lot of information every day, log books are the way to keep your findings organised. It is our hope in having you write in your log book for every module that you see what a valuable tool it can be!

Watch as Emily, an assistant square supervisor, explains the way that she uses her log book in the field.

Junior Archaeologist Assignment:

Either using the log book from previous blog posts or a brand new notebook, start recording what you see around you! What questions do you have about what you see during the day, and how could you find the answers to those questions? You will be using this log book throughout future blog posts, so make sure you keep it neat and in a safe spot where you won't lose it!

Question of the Day:

What do you think would happen if archaeologists didn't keep these log books? How might that change what they do in the field?

Volunteers, part 3

Here is my last post checking in with some volunteers to see why they came to Ashkelon.

As you can see, there are many different backgrounds and areas of study that can lead you to a dig, it doesn't just have to be archaeology. Many branches of math, science, arts, and social studies tie in!

Uploaded by Teach Ashkelon on 2014-06-25.

Uploaded by Teach Ashkelon on 2014-06-25.

Uploaded by Teach Ashkelon on 2014-06-25.


Volunteers, part 2

As promised, here are some more volunteers telling why they have chosen to come and dig at Ashkelon. It has been such a great learning experience getting to know everyone in the field!

 

Uploaded by Teach Ashkelon on 2014-06-25.

Uploaded by Teach Ashkelon on 2014-06-25.

Why come to Ashkelon?

Hopefully you've all had the chance to see some videos by our fabulous staff and coordinators here at the dig, but I thought I would introduce everyone to some of the volunteers here. Volunteers are usually college students who are studying some branch of archaeology and they come to Ashkelon to learn more about how an excavation works. Over the next couple of days, I will be showing you some videos of volunteers telling you what path they took to lead them to this Ashkelon dig. 

Of course, anyone could come to volunteer to dig at our site (just check out volunteer page!)

Uploaded by Teach Ashkelon on 2014-06-25.

How else can we use archaeology?

I've met a lot of really interesting people on the dig, one of which being Gordy. Gordy is an archaeologist in the United States, and he comes to do digs in Israel for vacation! 

At Gordy's work, they are hired to look in the ground for artifacts before any large things are built, like railroads or buildings. Companies do this so that they know they are not going to ruin any historical pieces as they are building.

Listen as Gordy tells you a little more about what he does.

Junior Archaeologist Assignment:

Look at the map on this page to see listings of digs around the world. Are they all looking for the same thing? What are the different sites in America? How are the digs alike and how are they different? Which one seems the most interesting to you, and what periods are they studying? Are all of the periods the same as what we study in Ashkelon? (Hint-Look at our vertical time line module to see the different periods we study)

Question of the Day:

How might what archaeologists find change based on where they are digging? For example, do you think archaeologists would find the same things in Massachusetts that they find in Nevada? Who were the people that lived in these different regions?

Community day at the dig site.

This week at the different dig sites, students in 6th-10th grade from Ashkelon came to visit and help us dig. We showed them the different tools we use, how to remove different layers of mud brick and rock, and how the items we found might have been used in homes before. In return, students had the chance to teach us some Hebrew and ask questions about living in America. It was a great day for community involvement and for the chance to show these students the history of their city.

Junior Archaeologist Assignment:

Look for archaeological opportunities around where you live! Are there places you can see at museums or through the Boy Scouts that may help you learn more about archaeology field work? (If you live in the Chicago area, look at this offering through the Field Museum!)

Question of the Day: 

Why do you think our dig thinks it's so important to show students in our area the different grid sites and how we dig?

What happens to those pottery pieces that we find?

Uploaded by Teach Ashkelon on 2014-06-25.

Before coming to Ashkelon, I always wondered what happened between finding the pots in the ground and putting them together. When arriving at the dig compound, I had the chance to see the in-between phases that allows the dig workers to publish the pieces they find and make them available for others to study.

As you will see in the video, there are many steps for putting together the pieces of pottery back together. Lots of university student volunteers (who you will hear from throughout my blog updates) are needed to complete this task!

Question of the day:

Why do you think we spend so much time labeling all of the pottery pieces that we find? Do you think that all the pottery pieces we find are put back together again?

Answer!

You have had lots of time to think about it and now the much awaited answer to our last What in The World!? Meg, the microarchaeologist here in Ashkelon, shares one part of her job and in doing so reveals what this weeks What in the World is! 

Junior Archaeology Assignment:  In your log book draw pictures of other plants you think Meg might find pieces of when looking under her microscope.

Question of the Day: Why is it important for archaeologists to look at the diet of people living in ancient Ashkelon? 

Remember to e-mail me your pictures and ideas at kids@digashkelon.com. Looking forward to hearing from you!

What in the World?

Today’s what in the world is a tricky one!  There is a specialist who works on our excavation who looks at things like this on a daily basis.  What do you think it is? Who do the think the specialist is who looks at this? Post your ideas below or email me at kids@digashkelon.com!

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Strike a Pose!

Did you know many of the artifacts we find here in Ashkelon are photographed and drawn?! Photographing and drawing the objects we find is an important step in understanding what is on the object, how it is shaped, and what other items we have found are similar to it. All of her photographs are put into our computer system so at any time we can look up photos and information about what has been found. It's like Google but for our Ashkelon excavation!

Our dig photographer, Melissa, takes photos of these small objects in her hotel room here. She has created a little studio in there and invited us in to take a look at how she does this part of her job.  

Junior Archaeology Assignment: Can you set up a photo shoot like Melissa does? Some things to think of: 

1. Choose an object

2. Make sure you have good light

3. Ask your parents to allow to or help you to use their camera! 

4. Set a scale next to the object so we know how big it is. This can be a ruler or a coin or anything that has a standard size. 

5. Shoot! Don't forget to shoot the different sides of the object! 

6. E-mail me your photos at kids@digashkelon.com

Question of the day: What would happen if Melissa didn't use a scale (ruler) when photographing objects?  What other sorts of things do you think Melissa photographs during the day?

Special Event

A couple of weeks ago we held a special event here in Ashkelon. It is called the finds display. On this exciting evening we display all of the beautiful artifacts we have found throughut the season.  Here is a video of the curators of the event, Jessica and Megan, sharing how they planned the evening and some of their favorite items.

 

Junior Archaeology Assignment: Can you curate a "museum" at your house? Pick a theme for your museum (stuffed animals, things you found in nature, or items that are blue- for example!) and then organize your items in a way that makes sense. Be sure to create labels for your items and then invite people to view your museum.  Be sure to take a picture and send it to me at kids@digashkelon.com

Question of the Day: Why do you think it is important for us to have the finds display? What can we learn by having all of the artifacts in one spot at the same time?

Weights

Toady's video is from Kate and highlights one of the ways people made purchases in ancient Ashkelon.  Paper money and coins have not always been used to buy things, and in ancient Ashkelon items were given a certain weight and if you wanted to purchase the item you had to pay using the correct weight of gold, silver, or other material.  Check it out!

Junior Archaeology Assignment: Today I want to you to make a balance scale like the ones used in Ashkelon! Here are the instructions.   Be sure to take a photo and send it to me.  You could also set up a little store and instead of using coins and paper money, set your prices in weight and have your customers pay you in beans!

Question of the Day: What sorts of items do you think people in ancient Ashkelon purchased? How were these items packaged?

Post your ideas below in the comments section. You can also e-mail me at kids@digashkelon.com. I love to see what you are up to so, please send photos!

What in the World Answer!

Hi all! Thanks for your great guesses regarding our what in the world object.  I think you will all be surprised by what zooarchaeologist Paula has to say about it in the video below.  In addition to identifying our what in the world object at the end of the video, Paula also wanted to share some of her favorite bone handles we have found here in Ashkelon.

 

Junior Archaeologist Assignment:  Paula shared all sorts of different handles with us today. In your log book draw pictures of handles in your house. Are the handles from your bathroom similar to those in your kitchen? Are there any rooms in our house that have no objects with handles? You can photograph your objects with handles or your drawings and send them to me at teachashkelon@gmail.com! I would love to see what you are up to!

Question of the Day: We saw many handles but none of the knives and implements that were attached to the end. What do you think happened to the items that were at the end of the handles? 

Please send me your ideas at teachashkelon@gmail.com or you can comment below! 

What in the World?

Today's what in the world is from our zooarchaeologist, Paula.  Remember, zooarchaeologists focus on the the animal related (bones!) items we find.  What do you think this item is? What do you think it was used for? What do you think it was made of?

Remember, you can put your ideas below in the comments section or you can send me an e-mail at teachashkelon@gmail.com

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Map Makers

Did you know that we have map makers here on the dig in Ashkelon? These map makers help the archaeologist keep track of what they are finding and where they are finding it. Take a look at this video of Ben, a GIS Technician (Map Maker), as he explains how he makes maps of what we are finding here in Ashkelon.

Junior Archaeology Assignment: In your log book make a map of a room or outside space at your house. Like Ben, try and use the shapes of the objects to represent them on your map. For example, a bush could be a circle or your bed a rectangle. Send me a picture of your map (teachashkelon@gmail.com), and I will share it with all of our friends here on the kids blog.

Question of the Day: Why are maps important in understanding Ashkelon? What do you think archaeologists did before using computers to make maps? 

Remember you can send me your thoughts, ideas, and questions at teachashkelon@gmail.com or post them below!

Meet Adam!

adam.jpg

Today instead of posting a new video for you, I am going to direct you to the web-site of the Harvard Semitic Museum. Adam Aja is the assistant director of the dig here in Ashkelon, and he is also the curator of the Semitic Museum.  He is posting short little videos about cool finds in Ashkelon, as well as day to day life on the dig.  He focuses on the Philistine occupation here in Ashkelon, and he provides lots of neat information on the Philistine people.

 

Junior Archaeology Assignment: I want you to watch 2 videos from the Harvard website. The first video is about a lion handle we found in Grid 51. The link for it is HERE.

The second video is about a blade, a coin, and a comb found in Grid 44. The link for it is HERE. 

Can you find any items like these in your home? Draw the objects you saw in the videos in your log book and draw items in your home next to them. You could also take pictures of objects and send them to me at teachashkelon@gmail.com. 

Question of the Day: Are there any items you have in your home that we don't have not found in ancient Ashkelon?

Please send your photos, thoughts, and questions to me at teachashkelon@gmail.com or you can post your comments below! 

Dolls

Today I am sharing another great video from Paula, our zooarchaeologist.  This video looks at the variety of bone dolls that have been found here in Ashkelon.

Junior Archaeology Assignment: Look around your bedroom and other places you keep your toys. Do you have any toys that are carved? They probably won't be carved out of bone, but do you have some that are carved wood?  Draw those toys in your log book. If you want to send me a photo at teachashkelon@gmail.com I would love to see them!

 

Question of the day: Who do you think these dolls were for? Did children play with them or were they for adults and decoration in the home? If they were for children, what sorts of things do you think they did with the dolls?

Remember to post your comments below or e-mail them to me at teachashkelon@gmail.com.