Virtual Scout Archaeology Day

Participation in this program will give scouts the resources to fulfil the following requirements for the BSA Archaeology merit badge:

1. Describe 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.
5. Do the following:
   1. 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.
   2. Identify a national, international, or local organization that helps to protect archaeological sites.
6. Do the following:
   1. Explain why it is important to protect archaeological sites.
   2. Explain what people should do if they think they have found an artifact.
   3. Describe the ways in which you can be a protector of the past.
9. 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.
   
   We will also offer a handout with resources related to several Penn Museum related archaeological digs, which can help fulfil the requirements for item #4: Learn about a combined total of five archaeological sites located both within and outside the United States.
   1. 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 can help answer questions that archaeologists are asking and how the information may be important to people living today. Compare the relative ages of the sites you research.
   2. 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.
      
      If they are in the area, they can also combine their Virtual Scout Archaeology Day with a visit to the Penn Museum, which will fulfil requirement #7a (Visit a museum to observe how artifacts aid in conveying history). It will be up to the scouts to complete the remaining requirements.

Our Virtual Scout Archaeology Day will be overseen by Kevin D. Impellizeri, Ph.D. (member ID: 14185540), a certified Merit Badge Counsellor for the Archaeology merit badge.

Following the session, it will be up to the scout and their unit leader to schedule a meeting with the Penn Museum’s certified merit badge counselor to confirm the student has completed the requirements. The unit leader will assign the scout to our merit badge counsellor through Scoutbook. The counselor will then mark off the fulfilled requirements through Scoutbook.

For security and privacy reasons, this event will not be recorded.

You can direct your questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Assistant Director of Virtual Programs.