A range of exciting education programs are offered at The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre by a variety of education providers.

New programs focusing on the archaeology and history of The Big Dig site have been developed for 2010. These programs specifically cater to the NSW curriculum and will be professionally presented by Sydney Learning Adventures.

 

 

Little diggers
Curriculum links: Years 1-2 HSIE

How do archaeologists find out about the past? What can archaeology tell us about children who lived in The Rocks during the 1800s? What were their houses like? What games did they play? Students will work as archaeologists to excavate artefacts from our indoor simulated archaeological dig and analyse them to find out about the everyday lives of children who lived on The Big Dig site.

Dirt Detectives
Curriculum links: Years 3-4 HSIE

Ball-and-chain shackles? Torn and filthy rags decorated with broad arrows? History books often describe horrific tales of the brutal punishment and agonising labour experienced by convicts in early colonial Sydney. Students will work as archaeologists to excavate artefacts from our indoor archaeological dig, and use their investigative skills to discover what life was really like for the convicts who lived in The Rocks during the early years of the colony.

Pieces of the past
Curriculum links: Years 5-6 HSIE

Buttons and buckles, bottles and beads. These are some of the artefacts discovered by archaeologists under the floorboards of houses in The Rocks. Students will use artefacts, paintings, photos and written documents to piece together evidence about the lives of people who lived in the Cumberland Street neighbourhood during the 1800s.

Cesspits and old rubbish
Curriculum links: Years 7– 10 History

British archaeologist Stuart Piggot once called archaeology “the science of rubbish” because it involves the excavation of things people throw away. Student ‘archaeologists’ will examine artefacts discovered in wells, ‘dunnies’, cisterns, cellars and backyards in order to decide whether The Rocks really was a “dirty slum” during the 19th century. The investigation will focus on the lives of some of the more colourful individuals who inhabited the cosy little houses, narrow lanes and twisted streets of The Rocks’ close-knit neighbourhood.

Groundwork: Archaeology at The Big Dig
Curriculum target: Year 11 ancient history and stage 5 elective history

What methods do archaeologists use to find out about the past? How can written and archaeological sources be used to create a more detailed interpretation of the past?The Big Dig archaeological site offers students a unique opportunity to study the various ways in which historians and archaeologists investigate, record, reconstruct and interpret the past: the types of questions they ask, the explanations they give and the issues they raise. Students will use written and archaeological sources to undertake an inquiry-based investigation into the lives of some of the people who lived and worked in The Rocks during the 19th century. They will also consider the ethical issues involved in the excavation, conservation, interpretation and presentation of this site to the public.

Duration: 2 hours
Cost: $13 per student

Booking information: Tel: (02) 9240 8552 Fax. (02) 9247 3455
Email. www.sydneylearningadventures.com.au
 

HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST: SUSANNAH PLACE MUSEUM

Susannah Place Museum is just across the road on Gloucester Street, and is a remarkable surviving example of the type of terrace housing that was once on The Big Dig site.

 

 

 

Pests, plague, pandemic!
Stage 3: Years 5-6

This program explores the bubonic plague outbreak of 1900 and its impact on the residents of The Rocks and their environment. By examining the former living conditions at Susannah Place Museum and participating in a guided walk through plague-related sites in The Rocks and neighbouring Millers Point, students will investigate the effects this epidemic had on the community. As well, students will identify and discuss the role of the government in the lives of the residents.Students begin this program at Susannah Place Museum, moving across to The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre for 30 minutes of directly related hands-on science activities. Students will have the opportunity to manipulate and handle a variety of equipment such as microscopes and specimen slides as they explore the links between fleas, rats and the plague.

Duration: 2 hours
Cost: $10.00
Booking information: http://www.hht.net.au/education/programs/pests,_plague,_pandemic!