The Public Archaeology Facility has certified Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselors on staff. We have structured the program so that it fulfills some of the requirements for the Archaeology Merit Badge. Some additional work must be completed following the course to successfully complete all badge requirements.
Requirements for the Archaeology Badge
(https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Merit_Badge_ReqandRes/Archaeology.pdf)
1. Tell what archaeology is and explain to your counselor how it differs or relates
to other fields of study such as anthropology, geology, paleontology, and history.
Explain how archaeology is different than artifact collecting or treasure hunting.
2. Describe each of the following steps of the archaeological process: site location,
development of background research and a research design, site survey and fieldwork,
artifact identification and examination, interpretation, preservation, and information
sharing.
3. Describe at least two ways in which archaeologists determine the age of sites,
structures, or artifacts. Explain what absolute dating and relative dating are.
4. Learn about a combined total of five archaeological sites located both within and
outside the United States.
(a) For EACH site you research, point it out on a map and explain how it was discovered.
Describe some of the information about the past that has been found at each site.
Explain how the information gained from the study of these sites answers questions
that archaeologists are asking and how the information may be important to modern
people. Compare the relative ages of the sites you research.
(b) Choose ONE of the sites you picked and give a short presentation about your findings
to a Cub Scout pack, your Scout troop, your school class, or another group.
5. Do the following:
(a) Learn about the federal laws and international conventions that protect archaeological
sites. Find out if your state, county, or local government has regulations that apply
to archaeological or historic sites.
(b) Identify a national, international, or local organization that helps to protect
archaeological sites.
6. Do the following:
(a) Explain why it is important to protect archaeological sites.
(b) Explain what people should do if they think they have found an artifact.
(c) Describe the ways in which you can be a protector of the past.
7. Do ONE of the following and discuss your findings with your counselor:
(a) Visit a museum to observe how artifacts aid in conveying history.
(b) Present to your counselor a significant family artifact/heirloom and discuss its
history.
(c) Make a list of the trash your family throws out during one week. Discuss with
your counselor what archaeologists might learn about you and your family if they found
your trash a thousand years from now.
8. Do either A or B of the following:
(a) With your parent's and counselor's permission, assist a qualified archaeologist
for at least eight hours with a project being worked on. Projects may include surveying,
site monitoring, site stabilization, excavation, laboratory analysis, use of digital
archaeological technology, or public outreach. Describe your involvement in the project,
what you learned about archaeology, and the steps of archaeological inquiry. Note:
Visiting an archaeological site will require advance planning. An archaeological site
during study can be a dangerous place. While there, you will need to closely follow
the archaeologist's directions and comply with all the safety procedures. Be aware
of the changing conditions at the site.
(b) With your counselor's approval, take part in a simulated archaeological project
designed by a qualified archaeologist. The project must include the use of a simulated
archaeological site including artifacts and features for the site. Using the steps
of archaeological inquiry, analyze the "artifacts and features" and document the spatial
relationships of the "artifacts and features" at the simulated site. Explain how the
environment and time can affect the interpretation of an artifact and the overall
archaeological site. Tell how you would share the results of your analysis with other
researchers and the public. Note: To find out how to make a simulated archaeological
site, talk with a professional archaeologist, trained avocational archaeologist, museum
school instructor, junior high or high school science teacher, advisor from a local
archaeology society, or other qualified instructor.
9. Under the supervision of a qualified archaeologist or instructor, do ONE of the
following:
(a) Help prepare an archaeological exhibit for display in a museum, visitor center,
school, or other public area.
(b) Use the methods of experimental archaeology to re-create an item or to practice
a skill from the past. Write a brief report explaining the experiment and its results.
10. Research a group of people who lived in your area more than 100 years ago. Find
out about their ways of life, including housing, clothing, arts and crafts, tools,
trade and markets, rituals and religions, and diets, and their relationships with
other groups of people in the area. Describe what you would expect to find at an archaeological
site where these people lived. Explain how these people influenced your current community.
11. Identify three career opportunities in archaeology. Pick one and explain how to prepare for such a career. Discuss with your counselor what education and training are required, and explain why this profession might interest you.
You can find additional information at the Boy Scouts Website.
Participation in the CAP for Kids or CAP for Teens program will help fulfill several of the requirements. The workbook provided to you will give information as well as offer advice and resources to conduct research to complete specific requirements. Course content may vary from year to year (depending on weather), so please contact us for further information about the program and how it helps fulfill the merit badge.
