October 21, 2024
Did you know that the AIA’s Glossary of Archaeological Terms is one of the most popular resources on our website? It’s a valuable tool for students, educators, and enthusiasts alike, providing a clear understanding of the terminology used in the field of archaeology.
In celebration of International Archaeology Day, the AIA hosts the annual Archaeodoodles competition. This vibrant event enriches our list of terms and definitions with illustrations and graphic designs submitted by our audience. Although we did not hold the Archaeodoodles contest this year, we would like to take this opportunity to highlight two of last year’s youth contestants, Kayli and Julia, along with their teacher, Jared Ciocco.
From left to right: “Osteology” (Kati), “Corinthian column” (Kati), and “Cardinal direction” (Julia)
What is your experience with archaeology?
“I volunteered for two summers during college at the Coriglia Excavations, and I also was part of an NEH seminar this summer that focused on the Ancient Olympics but included a lot of hands-on programs centered around archaeology.” – Jared Ciocco
How do you incorporate archaeology into your classes?
“I have incorporated archaeology into my classes by organizing field trips to the Princeton Art Museum and having an archaeologist meet with my students over Zoom, Dr. Kristin Harper who was one of the leaders at the Corigilia Excavations in the past.” – Jared Ciocco
“I also do a yearly Archaeology Day with my students where I talk about my experiences at Coriglia, answer questions about archaeology, and my students research and present on a current archaeological dig they find on the AIA AFOB, discussing what is being excavated, who/what school is organizing the dig, where it is, some fun facts about their site, and if they would like to participate (if money, time, and age restrictions were not a problem).” – Jared Ciocco
Photo caption: Jared Ciocco and Kayli
Kayli’s love for Latin, ignited by her interest in etymology, grew as she explored mythology:
“I actually moved districts during my sophomore year and was really nervous that I wouldn’t find an environment that supported my love for Latin. Thankfully, that was not the case, and I have been able to gather support for my interests. The past two years have been incredibly fun. Most of my favorite projects come from Latin, whether that be writing research papers, finding connections between modern-day music and the writings of ancient authors, or producing a commercial highlighting a myth. We also have done days where a student teaches the class, offering opportunities to hone our presentation skills and often yield a better understanding of the text ourselves.” – Kayli
“This year, I started a Latin club to share and encourage the learning of others, which Mr. Ciocco has been a great help with. I plan to schedule days where our club members can choose a myth and share it with the rest of the club. So far, we’ve had fun choosing your own translation of stories derived from characters of the Cambridge Latin textbooks, like Quintus and Cerberus (fan favorites). I hope to do days of scansion as well, along with offering Latin help for underclassmen, tutoring, and insight on past assignments.” – Kayli
Jared’s local Latin program has thrived, now engaging 95 students and proudly offering AP Latin. As a senior, Kayli is considering majoring or minoring in Classics in college. This growth highlights the effectiveness of innovative teaching methods like Jared’s, which ignite passion in students like Kayli and Julia, foster advancement in the subject, and inspire a bright future for archaeology education!
We look forward to seeing how other educators will harness AIA resources to bring Archaeology Day to life in their classrooms!
Click here to explore all of last year’s Archaeodoodles submissions!
International Archaeology Day Blog
