As evidence by their survey responses, the Penn Museum campers held many of the same misconceptions that the surveyed counselors and museum educators encountered or predicted, as well as those mentioned in the literature. There was a lot of confusion among the campers as to what constitutes an artefact and what archaeologists do with artefacts. The common mix-up between paleontology and archaeology was evident. When the campers were asked at the beginning of the week to write down what they knew about archaeology, there were four that mentioned dinosaurs. One camper also mentioned having gone to a “Dinosaurs Alive” exhibition as an archaeology program they had previously attended. The equating of film archaeologists with real archaeologists
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There appears to be a prevailing misconception that something has to be old to be considered an artefact and that artefacts are objects made by human beings. In actuality, an artefact is anything that is made and/or modified by humans. There is no limitation on the time or place in which an artefact is produced. Only fifteen of the fifty-five campers at the beginning of the week correctly chose both the arrowhead and cellphone as examples of artefacts in response to question #4 on the Start of Camp Camper Survey. The misconception that artefacts and archaeologists are only associated to the past is evident by more than half of the campers choosing only the arrowhead as the artefact and mentioning that archaeologists study the past or old sites and objects. One camper surveyed at the end of the week noted that an artefact is “something that is found (man made) from a long time ago,”80 which exemplifies the view held by the majority of …show more content…
It is not only important to have someone knowledgeable in archaeology developing programs and activities, but also to have the programs presented by archaeologists or someone with archaeological experience. These people should also be aware of the various widespread misconceptions about archaeology that are held by most of the people participating in their programs so they may readily address these issues. This allows for greater connections and understanding between young audiences and representatives of archaeology. With the majority of archaeology programs in museums targeting K-12 audiences, as reflected in the results of the museum educators survey, there is a definite need to make educational programs that appeal to and can reach members of this audience. Often times the goal of introducing the public, and in this case younger audiences, to archaeology also ties in with introducing the scientific method and a better understanding of cultures past and present. Knowing that a large percentage of program participants come in to the museum thinking that they will dig up dinosaurs or artefacts of amazing value can help shape the activities and lessons that comprise these programs. Awareness of
There appears to be a prevailing misconception that something has to be old to be considered an artefact and that artefacts are objects made by human beings. In actuality, an artefact is anything that is made and/or modified by humans. There is no limitation on the time or place in which an artefact is produced. Only fifteen of the fifty-five campers at the beginning of the week correctly chose both the arrowhead and cellphone as examples of artefacts in response to question #4 on the Start of Camp Camper Survey. The misconception that artefacts and archaeologists are only associated to the past is evident by more than half of the campers choosing only the arrowhead as the artefact and mentioning that archaeologists study the past or old sites and objects. One camper surveyed at the end of the week noted that an artefact is “something that is found (man made) from a long time ago,”80 which exemplifies the view held by the majority of …show more content…
It is not only important to have someone knowledgeable in archaeology developing programs and activities, but also to have the programs presented by archaeologists or someone with archaeological experience. These people should also be aware of the various widespread misconceptions about archaeology that are held by most of the people participating in their programs so they may readily address these issues. This allows for greater connections and understanding between young audiences and representatives of archaeology. With the majority of archaeology programs in museums targeting K-12 audiences, as reflected in the results of the museum educators survey, there is a definite need to make educational programs that appeal to and can reach members of this audience. Often times the goal of introducing the public, and in this case younger audiences, to archaeology also ties in with introducing the scientific method and a better understanding of cultures past and present. Knowing that a large percentage of program participants come in to the museum thinking that they will dig up dinosaurs or artefacts of amazing value can help shape the activities and lessons that comprise these programs. Awareness of