Lakeport >> Sixth-graders sifted soil searching for artifacts during an archaeological mock dig Thursday morning outside of the Lake County Museum.
The Terrace Middle School students uncovered fabric, rope, sand and shells hidden under three layers of soil they were taught is called stratum.
The mock dig allowed students to learn first hand the definition of archaeology and how the study of ancient cultures is done on the field in the controlled environment using test unit boxes, museum assistant curator Whitney Petrey said.
Children gasped and cheered when they made discoveries. They huddled closely as they revealed the artifact using digging tools while trying not to disturb too much of the soil. A student then examined it with a magnifying glass and another kept close records of their finds.
“If you have artifacts without context, you don’t have a story to tell,” Petrey said. “That’s what we are teaching them.”
The exercise incorporated multiple elements in the student’s current curriculum.
“Sixth-graders are learning about ancient civilizations and earth sciences, so it works out perfectly,”Petrey said.
Petrey, museum curator Tony Pierucci and teachers walked around stations and further explained the processes of an archaeological dig.
The exercise is part of the museum’s staff recent efforts to better connect with the community.
“We really wanted to re-engage in public education and public outreach,” she said.
They talked with community members and teachers and came up with the mock dig concept, which coincides with October being Archaeology Month, Petrey said.
The museum was able to secure funds from the Society for California Archaeology and Mendo Mill donated the soil.
“It was a local organization and a state organization, so we feel really blessed to have that combination of sponsors,” Petrey said.
As Pierucci looked at the group of students who were genuinely excited about the exercise he said he was already excited about today, when another wave of middle school students will perform the dig, adding “they will never look at dirt the same.”
