A
merit badge for
Boy scouts.
Merit badges are earned when they prove to the merit badge counsellor that you have understood everything that is taught and passed all the requirements that make you worthy.
This is not necessarily a required badge for Eagle. You do need a minimum number of badges to be eligible for advancing in rank, so if these requirements are easy, then this badge is for you.
These are the requirements specified by the Boy Scouts of America. They do change over time, getting easier or harder or more modern. A counsellor is supposed to follow these requirements and sign them off individually for your card, but can add additional requirements if they so desire.
- Tell what archaeology is and explain how it differs from anthropology, geology,
paleontology, and history.
- Describe each of the following steps of the archaeological process: site location, site
excavation, artifact identification and examination, interpretation, preservation, and
information sharing.
- Describe at least two ways in which archaeologists determine the age of sites,
structures, or artifacts. Explain what relative dating is.
- Do TWO of the following:
- Gather research on three archaeological sites located outside the United States.
Point out each site on a world map. Explain how each site was discovered. Describe some of
the information from the past that has been found at each site. Explain how the
information gained from the study of these sites answers questions that archaeologists are
asking and how the information may be important for modern people. Compare the relative
ages of the sites.
- Gather research on three archaeological sites that are within the United States.
Point out each site on a map. Explain how each site was discovered. Describe some of the
information from the past that has been found at each site. Explain how the information
gained from the study of these sites answers questions that archaeologists are asking and
how the information may be important for modern people. Compare the relative ages of the
sites.
- Visit an archaeological site and gather research on it. Explain how the site was
discovered. Describe some of the information from the past that has been found at the
site. Explain how the information gained from the study of this site answers questions
that archaeologists are asking and how the information may be important for modern people.
Compare the age of this site with the ages of the other sites you have researched.
- Choose ONE of the research projects you completed for requirement 4. Present your
findings to your Scout troop, school class, or other group.
- Do the following:
- Explain why it is important to protect archaeological sites.
- Explain what people should do if they think they have found an artifact.
- Describe ways in which you can be a protector of the past.
- Do ONE of the following:
- Make a list of items you would include in a time capsule. Discuss with your merit badge
counselor what archaeologist a thousand years from now might learn from the contents of
your capsule about you and the culture in which you live.
- Make a list of the trash your family throws out during one week. Discuss with your
counselor what archaeologists finding that trash a thousand years from now might learn
from it about you and your family.
- Do ONE of the following:
- Under the supervision of a qualified archaeologist, spend at least eight hours helping
to excavate an archaeological site.
- Under the supervision of a qualified archaeologist, spend at least eight hours in an
archaeological laboratory helping to prepare artifacts for analysis, storage, or display.
- If you are unable to work in the field or in a laboratory under the supervision of a
qualified archaeologist, you may substitute a mock dig. To find out how to make a mock
dig, talk with a professional archaeologist, trained avocational archaeologist, museum
school instructor, junior high or high school science teacher, advisor from a local
archaeology society, or other qualified instructor. Plan what you will bury in your
artificial site to show use of your "site" during two time periods.
- Under the supervision of a qualified archaeologist or instructor, do ONE of the
following:
- Help prepare an archaeological exhibit for display in a museum, visitor center, school,
or other public area.
- Use the methods of experimental archaeology to re-create an item or to practice skills
from the past. Write a brief report explaining the experiment and its results.
- Identify three career opportunities in archaeology and tell what education and
experience are required for each.
- Do ONE of the following:
- Research American Indians who live or once lived in your area. Find out about
traditional lifeways, dwellings, clothing styles, arts and crafts, and methods of food
gathering, preparation, and storage. Describe what you would expect to find at an
archaeological site for these people.
- Research settlers or soldiers who were in your area at least one hundred years ago. Find
out about the houses or forts, ways of life, clothing styles, arts and crafts, and dietary
habits of the early settlers, farmers, ranchers, soldiers, or townspeople who once lived
in the area where your community now stands. Describe what you would expect to find at an
archaeological site for these people.
Copyright info from: http://www.usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/mbnew98.html
Paul S. Wolf
Advancement Committee
Winding Rivers District
Greater Cleveland Council
Boy Scouts of America
Copies may be freely distributed, so long as the author and editor are acknowledged.
CST Approved