Sixth Grade Archaeology dig finds pioneer artifacts

Dover Museum welcomed this year’s sixth grade classes to the museum on Tuesday, September 9. Each year, Mr. Bence’s students visit and simulate a “dig” as part of the Middle School Social Studies curriculum. All the artifacts found come from a creek just west of New London.

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Each class group is split in half One group goes outside to hunt for artifacts while the other reviews archaeological terms and concepts. They then trade places. After everyone has found at least two artifacts and completed the worksheets, the class reunites to share thoughts on what they found and what they may have been used for. Mrs. Lehman, Museum Curator, led the discussion on identification and use. One fact that amazed the group — buttons with 4 holes were men’s and those with 2 holes were used on women’s clothing. Every once in a while, a modern object was found in the dig. Students speculated on possible causes for a mix of age among the artifacts. The many original ideas were interesting.

This year a special guest was introduced to the class. Brent Japley, a local expert on Indian artifacts, attended the dig. He has been invited to go to the middle school and visit with the sixth graders about some of his experiences and show a wide variety of tools he has found.

While fun was had by all, everyone agreed a class period is too short a time to see and learn all that one wants to about early settlers and native inhabitants of the New London area.

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