Archaeology Magazine - May/June 2007 - 6

I

the

Archaeological
Institute
of America
Located
atBoston
University

Word

Spreading
Our

mission

to

teach

archaeology

the third grade, we were given a monthly magazine called Treasure Chest that
featured a series entitled "Archaeology: The Greatest Detective Story;' These articles
In took us from Troy to Nineveh to Machu Picchu, and kindled in me a fascination for
archaeology that only increased with time» Today, I am convinced of the importance of
teaching archaeology,especially at the primary and secondary school levels»These students
are the next generation of archaeologists; they will solve the puzzles that continue to mystify
us, and we owe it to them to develop innovative programs that capture their interest at an
______
early age.
At the Archaeological Institute of America, we
have made this kind of outreach a cornerstone of our
mission. We have inaugurated fairs at which children
and families learn about archaeology and the ancient
world by taking part in hands-on exhibits; they
reconstruct clay pots, participate in mini- digs, and
meet archaeologists* We have also held workshops
to help primary and secondary school educators
teach critical thinking and create projects based on
archaeological evidence. During the course of the
V spring, a series of lesson plans will be added to the
m
AIA website, including Shoe Box Digs - tabletop
simulated excavations- for a variety of classroom
'
levels, and a Rosetta Stone project that introduces
students to hieroglyphic and cuneiform writing and
explains how ancient texts survive and are translated.
See www.archaeological.org/education for more about
™
I
these exciting initiatives.
This isn't our only area of new outreach programs.
Ancient dress was one subject at
the AlA's2007 Archaeology Fair.
Many sites and museums in Iraq and Afghanistan
are now guarded by U.S. soldiers who may not have
studied archaeology, but who now need a basic knowledge or the regions ancient history.
With the cooperation of the U.S. Central Command, we recently began a cultural heritage
lecture program at military bases from which troops serving in those countries are deployed.
Regardless of one's opinions about the conflicts, these men and women often risk their lives
to protect ancient monuments. Considering the world in which we now live, interaction
between archaeologists and the military should be a fundamental component of our mission.
(See "Tell It to the Marines," November/ December 2005.)
Your subscription to Archaeology supports these outreach efforts, and I invite you to
join the AIA if you haven't already done so (see facing page). It would be an honor to have
you on our team.

C. Brian Rose
President, ArchaeologicalInstitute of America
6

OFFICERS
president
Rose
C.Brian
firstvie*
prmfctent
'
Elizabeth
Bartman
vie»
foreducation
andoutreadi
president
Brown
Shelby
forprofessional
vicepresident
responsibilities
JohnRussell
vicepresident
forpublications
Neils
Jenifer
vicepresident
forsocieties
Cleworth
Alexandra
treasurer
Brian
J.Heidtke
executive
director
R.Clendenning
Bonnie
GOVERNING BOARD
ElieAbemayor
Ambler
Michael
Berza
Eugene
II
JohnMdCCamp
Laura
Childs
Lawrence
Coben
Mitchell
Eitel
William
Fitzhugh
Sebastian
Heath
PeterHerdrich
Lillianjoyce
William
A.Lindsay
T.Milankh
Jerald
W*
Donald
Morrison
Robert
E.Murowchick
Helen
Nagy
Lynn
Quigley
PaulRissman
Rubinstein
Caroline
AnnSanten
Glenn
Schwartz
AvaSeave
David
C.Seigle
Charles
Stanish
Steinmetz
Charles
Woodward
Robyn
John.
J.Yarmick
PaulZimansky
pastpresident
JaneC.Waldbaum
trustees
emeriti
Norma
Kershaw
Charles
S.LaFollette
counsel
general
Andrew
ofPaul,
Weiss,
J.Foley
andGarrison
Wharton
Rifkind,
Archaeological
InstituteofAmerica
. Boston,
Street
MA
02215-2010
656Beacon
www.archaeological.org
* May/June2007
ARCHAEOLOGY
http://www.archaeological.org/ http://www.archaeological.org
Archaeology Magazine - May/June 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Archaeology Magazine - May/June 2007
