Lesson Plan

Plants, Pollen, and People: Archeology and Pollen Analysis

Native Americans hoeing corn.
Grade Level:
Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
Subject:
Science
Lesson Duration:
30 Minutes
Common Core Standards:
6.RI.4, 6.RI.7, 9-10.RST.1, 9-10.RST.3, 9-10.RST.4, 9-10.RST.7
Thinking Skills:
Remembering: Recalling or recognizing information ideas, and principles. Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Creating: Bring together parts (elements, compounds) of knowledge to form a whole and build relationships for NEW situations.

Essential Question

How do archeologists use pollen analysis to study life within the past? What can pollen studies reveal about past environments and human actions?

Este plan de clase con actividades incluido también está disponible en español.

Objective

1. Learn how archeologists use pollen to learn more about past lifeways and environmental conditions.
2. Explore the methodological steps involved in pollen analysis.
3. Understand how archeologists interpret the results of pollen analysis.

This lesson plan and activities is available in Spanish.

Background

Archeology is an interdisciplinary field that utilizes a wide range of historical and scientific methodologies to study human life in the past. When analyzing a site, archeologists use techniques from multiple fields such as biology, geology, and chemistry.

Pollen analysis is one scientific method that archeologists use. Archeologists combine collected pollen data with historical research to answer questions about environmental conditions and human actions of the past, and the influences each had upon the other.

Preparation

Students will need pencils or pens and scrap paper.

Materials

Download Pollen Analysis Student Handout

Download Pollen Analysis Student Activity Sheet

Download Teacher Pollen Analysis Answer Key

Download En Español: Plantas, polen y personas: arqueología y el análisis del polen

Download En Español: Guía para el estudiante

Download En Español: Actividad: análisis del polen

Download En Español: Análisis del polen Hoja de respuestas

Procedure

Step 1: Download the resources included with this lesson plan. Provide each student with a printed copy.

Step 2: Have students read the provided background information about archeology and the steps of pollen analysis.

Step 3: Have the students complete the simulated pollen analysis activity. Review their answers.

Vocabulary

Absolute dating: a scientific method used to estimate how old archeological objects are utilizing exact historical dates

Archeology: the scientific study of humans within the past

Archeobotany: the study of plant remains on archeological sites

Auger: a hollow, metal tool used to gather soil samples

Palynology: the study of ancient pollen

Pollen core: a sample of stratigraphic soil layers and the pollen samples within them

Pollen rain: the natural process of plant and tree pollen falling from the plant and being mixed into the soil

Radiocarbon/carbon-14 analysis: scientific method used to date organic archeological objects, such as wood and bone, utilizing the known decay rate of carbon-14

Relative dating: a scientific method to approximate the age of archeological objects in relation to each other

Stratigraphy: the scientific study of rock and soil layers

Supports for Struggling Learners

Teachers can ask students to read the text out loud. After each section, teachers can review the main points with the students.

Enrichment Activities

Research ways that ancient people within your local area used plants and trees. What kind of evidence might archeologists look for that could tell them about those practices?

Additional Resources

“A History of Illinois Agriculture: Illinois Agriculture Begins.” Illinois State Museum.

Contact Information

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Last updated: December 9, 2021