Children and teachers explore an interpretive trail.
There's no better way to learn about the historical and cultural background of Texas than through hands-on activities. At the Nightengale Archaeological Center, students learn about the importance of preserving and protecting archaeological sites in a natural setting.
The following information will help teachers plan a school tour to the center.
Goals
Provide a field-based experiential learning activity.
Encourage academic performance in accordance with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) objectives.
Educate students about the need for the preservation and protection of archaeological sites.
Promote an awareness of archaeology and the many disciplines it incorporates.
Present a background of Central Texas culture history.
Students participate in the dig box exercise.
Guidelines
Reservations are required.
Tours are scheduled on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the school year.
Groups of 40 can tour in either the morning or afternoon. (Special arrangements can be made for larger groups if reserved well in advance of the tour date.)
Activities are designed primarily for 4th through 7th grade students; however, reservations are accepted for other grades.
The tours last about three hours with students rotating among three simultaneous activities noted below.
The fee is $3 per person, which is used to expand and enhance the educational program.
Activities
The trail tour
A guided walking tour along an interpretive trail through a portion of the excavations provides a background on archaeological field methods and interpretation. This tour also illuminates aspects of Central Texas prehistoric cultural history. In addition, there is a reproduction of an archaic period campsite based on the most recent archaeological data.
Museum and dig box excavation
Inside the museum, students can examine artifacts from the many prehistoric cultural phases represented at the site and the Llano Uplift region, handle replicated artifacts, use grinding stones as Native Americans did thousands of years ago, and converse with professional and volunteer archaeologists.
Also, students can participate in an excavation exercise that involves recording artifact locations on three levels in a simulated archaeological unit. The objective is to make students aware of the association between artifacts during a controlled professional excavation, with an emphasis on the careful methods used by archaeologists. The students plot the locations of artifacts and produce a scaled map for each level or strata to determine time relationships and functions.
The atlatl and rabbit stick throws
Outside, the students have a chance to use an atlatl, an Aztec word for throwing stick, and a rabbit stick. Both of these were weapons and hunting tools used by prehistoric Native Americans.
Students throw a spear with an atlatl.
Teacher preparation
The tour goes much faster if the students are divided into three groups before arriving at the site. Each group will engage in all of the activities noted above.
The tour can be conducted in all but extreme weather conditions. Make certain that students are dressed appropriately for the forecasted weather. The students will be outside for most of the visit.
The center has restrooms, picnic tables and drinking water. Visitors may bring lunches.
If you must cancel: Please call 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 8002 or (512) 303-5073 at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled visit. Also call if you have questions or comments about the center's program and activities.
Teaching aids
Texas Cultural Connections Initiative, Teaching Module: Teachers can use this curriculum before and after visiting the center. It also can stand alone for those unable to make the trip. The lessons are designed primarily to augment 4th- and 7th-grade social studies programs. However, they are flexible enough for use in other grade levels and across various disciplines.
“Footprints in Time,” an eight-minute video produced by LCRA in 2003 that provides a tour of the site suitable for children and adults.
Texas Beyond History, a public education Web site project that includes lesson plans about archeological and historical research on the cultural heritage of Texas.
A book, titled The River People, also includes lesson plans and is available for purchase from LCRA.
To order the video or the book, call 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 8002, or e-mail outdoorprograms@lcra.org.
