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Lesson Plan

Primary vs. Secondary Sources in Archeology

Archeological artifacts, like these beads, are a primary source of information.

NPS photo.

Grade Level:

Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade

Subject:

Literacy and Language Arts,Social Studies

Lesson Duration:

60 Minutes

Additional Standards:

SS.A.3.1.1, SS.A.4.1.1, SS.A.5.1.1, LACC5RI.2.6, 3.9; 4RI.2.6

Essential Question

How do primary and secondary sources help archeologists learn about the past?

Objective

Students will: 1) Learn the differences between primary and secondary sources and 2) Glean information from examples of different sources.

Background

This lesson plan is one in a series that uses archeology to teach concepts everyone needs to know. It can be used as-is, or be customized with images, objects, or stories representative of a particular park or place. Lesson plans in this series are:

• What Is (and Isn’t) Archeology?
• Inference vs. Observation in Archeology
• Primary vs. Secondary Sources in Archeology
• Stratigraphy and Superposition in Archeology
• Coordinates and Gridding in Archeology
• Attributes and Classification in Archeology
• Protecting Our Archeological Past

Preparation

Archeologists use primary sources to get first-hand information about life in the past from people who were there. Artifacts are a type of primary source, as are letters, journals, and oral histories. Archeologists also draw on secondary sources, like newspapers or history books.

It is important for students to know the differences between primary and secondary sources to judge the reliability and utility of information being presented, as well as to identify bias in the historical record.

For this slot in the series, teachers should search the Educators Portal on nps.gov using the keywords "primary source" and "secondary source." Choose one or more lesson plan, such as:

• Primarily Me: Primary Sources from Whitman Mission

• A Woman Named Rose

• The French and Indian War 1754-1763: Primary Documents and Artifacts - Unit 8

• Using Primary Sources: The Duties of an Overseer

• Frederick Douglass, The Educator of Anacostia: “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

• We the People: 3D Archeology at Cresson's Court, Activity #1

• We the People: 3D Archeology at Cresson's Court, Activity #2

• "Comfortable Camps?" Archeology of the Confederate Guard Camp at the Florence Stockade

Procedure

Complete the lesson plan.

Vocabulary

Archeology: The study of the past based on the material evidence that people left behind

Artifact: An object made or used by humans

Primary Source: A primary source is an original object or document -- the raw material or first-hand information, source material that is closest to what is being studied.

Secondary Source: a secondary source of information is one that was created later by someone who did not experience first-hand or participate in the events or conditions you’re researching

Contact Information

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Lesson Plans

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• "Comfortable Camps?" Archeology of the Confederate Guard Camp at the Florence Stockade (Teaching with Historic Places)
• Archeology at City Point, Petersburg National Battlefield
• Archeology at Fort Frederica