•  
  •  
 

Abstract

Archaeology provides ‘material expression’ to the narratives and discourses which construct and bind historical identity. When brought into the classroom it can provide a powerful tool to help school pupils untangle complex structures and meanings, and to begin to develop their own interpretive and evaluative skills. This article explores the use of archaeology in implementing aspects of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. We focus on one subject in particular, Religious and Moral Education (RME), and we analyze one unit of study designed and taught to Secondary 1 and 2 pupils, with ages ranging from 11- 13. We draw upon a recent major excavation in Perth and Kinross in Scotland so as to interrogate the role of symbols in rites of passage surrounding death as these are evidenced in the material record of the human past. We argue that archaeology provided a rich and robust structure, not available via other means, that assisted the development of pupils’ higher order thinking skills. We argue that deploying archaeology in RME, and by extension, in other subjects and in different educational contexts, will encourage pupils to explore materiality and will enhance their learning in new and inspiring ways.

Download

Share

 
 

Rights Statement

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted.