Discuss the following vocabulary:

1. Archeologists – people who study the life and culture of ancient peoples by excavation of ancient cities, relics, and artifacts
2. Shards – broken pieces of pottery
3. Excavate - to unearth or dig up
4. Hieroglyph (glyph) – a picture or symbol representing a word or sound.

Divide the class into teams. This works best with no more that 4 students to a team.

Tell students that they are going to excavate a dig site of an ancient unknown civilization/culture. They should carefully search for pieces (shards) of the clay pots by scooping sand into the sifters and gently sifting the sand into a separate container – this could be another plastic tub or large sheets of newspapers. As they sift, remind them to keep anything that remains after all the sand has passed through the sifter. Say, “It might be of great value in telling the story of the people that once lived here.”(Be sure that the students understand this is a simulation and that these cultures really may not have existed in their area and the artifacts are teacher created.)

If they find a shard, have them gently use their brush to remove any debris that might be left and then have them draw an illustration of the shard on their paper.

This continues until they have found all the pieces that they think are in the site.

After all of the pieces have been cleaned and recorded, ask them to try and fit the pieces together like a puzzle.

Use the glue to glue the pieces together. See Teacher Note under the Materials section.

After students have put the shards together to create a pot, have them draw conclusions about the culture based on the images and/or hieroglyphs found on their pots. Ask the groups to share their conclusions about the origin of their pot with the rest of the class. Have the class add any additional information they may have about each pot. The teacher should then sum up the discussion by identifying the cultures and images that the students were unable to recognize.

Ask the students to note if any of the images on different pots are similar. (pyramids, drums, hieroglyphs)

Ask the students why it might be important to learn about ancient cultures. The mission of the Society of American Archaeology says, in part, “to expand understanding and appreciation of humanity's past.” Tell the students that the work of archaeologists helps us learn about the past. We can learn lessons from ancient cultures about how diverse people have learned to live together in a community. We can compare our way of life to ancient ways and appreciate the similarities and perhaps some of the roots of our own culture. Archaeologists collect knowledge that enhances the cultural common good. Knowledge of other cultures helps foster tolerance, respect and appreciation for diverse peoples.

Ask students as they watch the movie to pay special attention to the work of the archaeologists.

After Viewing the movie:

Anticipatory Set:

Define the words codex/codices. Illicit general definitions from the movie, specifically recalling the incident of the Spanish Priest who burned the Mayan codices.

Lead a discussion with students regarding tolerance of others. Begin by asking the students to identify something that they do that seems to annoy their parent/guardian. (hairstyle, music, clothing, etc.)

Ask them to identify something their parent/guardians do that annoys the students. Spend several minutes in discussion

Ask students to partner with someone and brain storm how they could compromise a solution to each of the problems that they have identified.

Have students record all possible solutions to the problems either in a journal or on a sheet of paper.

Bring the class back together and have groups share their problems and solutions. Record them on a piece of chart paper or on the board. Tell the students that frequently incidents of intolerance are the result of lack of knowledge. Often when we learn more about people we can begin to understand and appreciate what may be very diverse lifestyles or customs. Did any of their solutions involve educating the other party in an effort to foster better understanding?

After this discussion, draw attention to the part of the movie where it was noted that the Spanish priest had the codices burned because the books contained beliefs contrary to the Christian belief.

Have the students draw conclusion as to whether it was right or wrong to burn the Mayan books based on another’ s beliefs. Ask: “ Do all people have a right to believe as they wish? Should all people, world wide, have a right to think, believe and worship as they wish?”