Archeological Dig

As part of their learning about Ethiopia for International Fortnight, Year 7/8B have been particularly interested in ‘Lucy’, the 3.18m year old skeleton found in Hadar Ethiopia in 1974. The children learnt how Lucy’s skeleton helped answer the question of whether early humans walked upright or developed large brains first, and some were surprised to find it was walking upright that came first.

As part of their studies the children have enjoyed recreating their own archaeological dig in the school grounds. They first considered how to minimise the environmental impacts of their dig, and then how to ensure they did not affect the nearby communities (Year 6), before applying to the Local Government (Mrs Gould) for a research permit.

They then divided their research area into smaller areas to accurately map all finds before slowly and carefully beginning their dig. They had the patience of seasoned archaeologists, slowly dusting away the sand so as not to disturb the bones and artefacts that they uncovered.

All finds were then carefully sketched and mapped. Unfortunately nobody found a skeleton quite as old as Lucy, but an interest in archaeology was definitely cultivated.