In this simulation of an excavation, the children investigate a past event and imaginatively reconstruct what happened, on the basis of the evidence uncovered.

The lesson is based on a real archaeological dig by Gerhard Bersu in 1946.

(These resources are attached below)

Two items in the resources are supplied as separate downloads. One is a powerpoint presentation. The other is an account of Viking funeral customs by Ibn Fadlan, an Arab Muslim trader who witnessed a Viking burial in Russia in 922 AD. Read this through before sharing it with children - you may want to cut out some of the sex and violence. It is supplied as a Word document for easy editing.

Here are some of the objects found, now in the Manx Museum

Ballateare Sword

Skull of a sacrificed girl  

Read more about history and archaeology in the Spring 2009 issue of Primary History

We are grateful to David M. Wilson for his kind permission to reproduce the material you can download from this page.

 

More lessons Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings Background information for teachers Vikings: a brief history

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