Historical Source Lesson: Artifacts
| ALL GRADES
For the Educator: Use this historical source lesson with the sample analysis page (as a handout or overhead) to illustrate where to find and how to use artifacts.
Download full-page sample analysis Image as jpg |
Relevant Standards: When presented with the interpretive lessons and projects herein, this lesson meets Michigan Content and Benchmark Standards for Social Studies: V:1 Information Processing
What are artifacts?
Artifacts are objects remaining from the past that were created and used in another time. When gathering artifacts from the Fruit Belt, we found harvesting baskets, wine bottles, sorting machines, and Blossomtime tiaras.
Where can you find them?
Artifacts can be found in any number of places. Sometimes historians find artifacts buried in the earth. Many of our Fruit Belt artifacts came from farmers. The Blossomtime organization offered several artifacts for our use, as did the Lawton Museum. We also looked for artifacts in libraries and antique stores.
How do you interpret them?
Analyzing artifacts can be rewarding but challenging at the same time. Following these steps can help you to clearly and effectively interpret the artifacts you find.
First, ask questions to help you learn about the object. Where did you find the object? Where, when, and by whom was it made? What is the object made of? Does it appear man-made or factory made? What can you say about the design, structure, form, styles, ornament or iconography of the object? What do you think was the function of the object (intended and unintended)?
These questions help you identify the object. Following, you should evaluate the object, comparing it with other similar examples. How is it different/similar? How has its purpose changed over the years? Based on this evaluation, you can form a cultural analysis, thinking about the people who would have created and used this artifact. Lastly, you’ll want to interpret the object, deciding on the meaning and significance of this artifact for today.
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