Archaeologists Dig for Clues.jpg

Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2

by Kate Duke

Archaeologists on a dig work very much like detectives at a crime scene. Every chipped rock, charred seed, or fossilized bone could be a clue to how people lived in the past. In this information-packed Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science book, Kate Duke explains what scientists are looking for, how they find it, and what their finds reveal.

Genres: Science, History, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Archaeology, 1st Grade

32 pages, Unknown Binding

First published December 13, 1996

About the author

Duke was born in New York City on August 1, 1956. She had said that reading was a favorite pastime all through childhood, and in an interview for Something About the Author noted that Louise Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy was a fictional character she modeled, right down to keeping tabs on the people in her neighborhood. “I think I owe Harriet my first conscious awareness of the act of writing as important and meaningful work,” she said.

She attended Duke University in the mid 1970s and also took art classes in New York City, which helped solidify her growing ambition to create picture books. Her first book, The Guinea Pig ABC (Dutton) was published in 1983 and received warm accolades for its humor and inventiveness. She followed up her debut with Guinea Pigs Far and Near (Dutton, 1984) and several other titles starring the popular critters. Duke went on to craft more than 20 picture books, writing and illustrating her own work, as well as providing illustrations for other authors including Joanna Cole and William Hooks. Duke married cartoonist Sidney Harris in 1985.

Reviews

[Parmidaattari · Rating 5 out of 5]

این کتاب به فارسی ترجمه شده و بشدت مناسب کودکانه که با باستان‌شناسی آشنا بشن هم روایت جذابی داره و هم جهلی که نسبت به این رشته وجود داره رو از همون بچگی از بین میبره.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminds me a lot of the Magic Schoolbus books. It's got the main purpose of telling you about how archaeology works, but then has characters who have sort of their own muted plot line. And then there are other charts, graphs, and illustrations going on to teach you more.

[NrsKelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very descriptive book about archeology to go along with my first graders ancient history work this week. The pictures and conversations were funny additions to what can be a super dry subject for some kids.
And yet there was plenty of included information.
A great choice to add to your home school history/science lessons.

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides an engaging and informative look at how archaeologists work, as a few schoolchildren work with an archaeologist named Sofie to look for artifacts in the remains of an Archaic-era settlement.

I like how this book makes archaeology look exciting, but also focuses on the scientific processes involved -- writing things down, looking for even the tiniest artifacts (most finds don't seem all that glamorous), and keeping track of where items are found. But when they put all the pieces together, they can infer quite a bit about how people might have lived.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting much from this book, but I really liked it! It made me want to be an archaeologist by the time I was done reading it. As an adult, I definitely learned a lot, so I imagine for a kid it would be a great gateway into wanting to know more about archaeologists. I will be looking for more books in this series. Truly great quality for youth nonfiction.

[Cliff Bathke · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Kate Duke Teaches us what archaeologist do and how they are like time detectives. She shows us what fossils look like and how they can be mistaken for a rock. She show how archaeologist use clues they dig up to find things out about the past.
2. Grades K-2
3. I would use this book when talking about history and dinosaurs and ancient civilizations.
4. Students who like dinosaurs would have fun reading this book.
5. I would let kids read this book and talk about their favorite dinosaur.
6. I would read this and talk about what old cultures may leave behind to tell us about how they lived.
7. I couldn't find any other kid books that were informative about this subject.
8. There are many cartoons and websites kids can go to to learn about this information.

[Sawyer K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa whoa whoa whoa! This picture book was engaging and fun to read but REALLY taught some solid concepts and terms. I learned something. My kids went out and dug in the yard and made inferences about what the different artifacts might mean about who lived there. I was skeptical of the curriculum that recommended this book because I knew that reading stories was good, but how much could they actually learn academically. A LOT! And yet they were fascinated. It had a lot of info but didn’t feel dense and even my fast learner/ADHD kid didn’t get bored.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is under-rated on Goodreads. No, it is not a literary work of art, but it simplifies and explains the scientific process and study of ancient civilizations in such a way that even very young children can get an understanding of this important profession and how it has shaped our perspective of the past. We are just kicking off our year plus long study of ancient civilizations - this was a perfect place to start and I'm sure that we will reference and/or return to this book over the next few months as a resource.

[Talea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. It kept my children's interest, the illustrations are colorful and informative in a kid friendly way. My youngest adores primitively history so she was completely absorbed, and my youngest son kept asking questions and wanted to learn more. I'm very very happy with it.

[Danna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book on archaeology. It had a slightly Magic School Bus feel and a delightful little dog that popped up on almost every page. My third graders enjoyed learning about archaeology this year and I hope to have one invite me on a dig when they grow up to be archaeologists and paleontologists!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was part of BYL1...I'm not sure why I didn't review it in the fall when we read it. From what I recall, there was a lot of good information about how excavations happen and more importantly WHY they do what they do. Keep track of what is found and exactly where - helps you put the whole story together.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book...also enjoyed because it did not go into millions and millions...just a lovely book about an interesting topic for a 5 year old (and also kept the interest of my 3 year old as well!)

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent nonfiction book for kids. My kindergartener had me read it to her several times, and my 3rd grader happily snapped it up to re-read it even though we had read it a couple of years ago. Highly recommended for all young scientists and people who like to dig in the dirt.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is included in one of the Sonlight cores we use for homeschooling. It is a good book - entertaining and educational at the same time. It teaches solid information about archaeology while still being fun for kids.

[Kayla Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be a great read aloud for kids. The subject matter of the book is very engaging and provides a lot interesting information. The dialogue within the illustrations help to move the plot along in an efficient way.

[SCAPOD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to archaeology for young children.

[Kenneth Clayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to Lydia (6) for her history home school as supplement literature thinking about how we learn history and how historians write history.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over all a good book and Sophie got excited and now wants to become an archaeologist(well to find treasures) I didn't like some of the kids bubble comments through the story.

[Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprise hit! Has asked this book to be read almost every day since we got it from the library!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains the tasks and methods of archaeology in a magic school bus like format and had my boy interested again discovering fossils and human artifacts.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids really enjoyed this book and it gave a great overview of how archaeologists work.

[Noelani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounded out our archaeology and intro to early ancient history studies in a fun way for my 7-year old.

[Ardyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book! Detailed, but not too detailed. Does well with a long, slow reading -- we mostly stuck to one or two two-page spreads.per week.

[Myth Liberated · Rating 5 out of 5]

به عنوان یک کتاب که خیلی ساده مراحل کار یه باستان شناس رو بی
ان کنه خیلی عالی هست . اگه از این دست کتابها تو مدارس ابتدایی و راهنمایی باشه شاید کمی از بی علاقگی بچه ها به درس تاریخ کم بشه

[Carrie]

In my opinion, this is the best archeology book for kids that I've come across. My son is in love with archeology and this is his favorite book. He based his birthday party off of it!

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

rtc

[乂]

کاوشِ باستان‌شناسی و کشفِ رازهای زندگیِ گذشتگان؛ باستان‌شناسانِ جوان، جلدِ یک / کیت دوک / تهران: دیبایه، چاپِ اول 1394

«سوفی» باستان‌شناس است و به مکان‌هایی که در زمان‌های گذشته محلِ زندگی انسان‌ها بوده علاقه‌ی بسیار دارد. او به حفاری در محوطه‌های باستانی «کاوش» می‌گوید. [4]
باستان‌شناسان از کجا می‌فهمند که یک محوطه، باستانی است؟
آن‌ها هر آن‌چه که هنگامِ کارهایی مانند شخم‌زدن و راه‌سازی و یا فعالیتِ حیوانات به‌طورِ اتفاقی آشکار می‌شود را با دقت بررسی می‌کنند. آن‌ها به بقایای سازه‌های قدیمی، تپه‌ها و فرورفتگی‌های غیرطبیعی در زمین دقت می‌کنند. از عکس‌های هوایی کمک می‌گیرند. محتوای نقشه‌ها و کتاب‌های قدیمی را با دقت مطالعه می‌کنند. [5]
احتمال فعالیت‌های انسانی در قسمت‌هایی از خاک که تیره‌تر هستند محتمل‌تر است. چون انسان‌ها در محلِ زندگی‌شان روی خاک راه می‌روند، غذا می‌پزند، آتش درست می‌کنند و زباله می‌ریزند. [6]
برای تعیینِ سنِ هر محوطه، موادِ یافته‌شده در آن‌را موردِ آزمایش قرار می‌دهند. آزمایش‌هایی مانندِ آزمایشِ کربنِ چهارده که سنِ موادِ شیمیایی موجود در آن مواد را شناسایی می‌کند. [7]
گودال‌های باستان‌شناسی را به‌شکلِ چهارگوش حفر می‌کنند. و جزییاتِ یافته شده در آن‌ها را بر روی نقشه‌هایی دقیق ثبت می‌کنند. این نقشه‌ها از چهارخانه‌هایی شناسه‌دار تشکیل شده‌اند که محلِ دقیقِ اشیاءِ پیدا شده در هر منطقه از گمانه را قابلِ ردگیری و تحلیل می‌کند. [8]
باستان‌شناسان مایلند با نهایت دقت و درستی از رازها و شیوه‌های زندگیِ انسان‌های دورانِ قدیم پرده بردارند. [13] خیلی کم اتفاق می‌افتد که آن‌ها گنج پیدا کنند. و چه‌بسا اشیایی که مردمِ عادی از خود بر جا گذاشته‌اند برای باستان‌شناسان جالب‌ترند. [12]
باستان‌شناسان پیش از آن‌که بفهمند هر شیء از کجا آمده آن‌را از محلِ اکتشاف جابه‌جا نمی‌کنند. [16]

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really tough to read a book written for kids in your area of specialization and not quibble over details. This book, the archaeology-specific entry in the "Let's Read and Find Out Science" series, is a nice introduction for early elementary school readers (e.g., maybe advanced first- or second-grade readers) and is effective in introducing this admittedly jargon-laden subject through an effective combination of word and image. Archaeologists Dig for Clues was largely successful, is a book I would give to a young reader, and successfully conveyed the point that archaeology is systematic, rigorous, careful, involves lots of note-taking and recording, and even includes a little reinforcement exercise at the very end by posting a "What would you do if...?" scenario. (I would note for future editions that archaeology is consistently spelled with the diphthong throughout the book with the single exception of the very last page. Perhaps this could be addressed in future editions--esp. as the book is geared toward youngish readers who may be confused by the multiple spellings.)

[Friend of Pixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great find from the "Let's Read-and-Find-Out Science Book" series. Three kids go on a dig with an archeologist and find out how it all works. Everything from how they lay out a string grid to keep track of where they find things to the names for different types of finds, like artifacts (things made by people) and features (places made by people, like roads and houses). From the dig, they follow the archeologist to the lab and meet all the other scientists who help figure out what the clues tell us, from archeobotanists to scientific illustrators. Told with humor and great illustrations, the story of digging for clues hooked Logan right away and as with "Fossils Tell of Long Ago," we re-read it several times. The two books made our subsequent visit to the local natural history museum much more interesting than it was last time.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I've seen for children about archaeology! I am a professional archaeologist and this book covers ALL the misconceptions about what archaeologists really do while still making it sound like we have fun. The story is great at keeping kids entertained and depicts how archaeology really works covering all the steps from survey through excavation and analysis. Additionally, this book is written in layers. By this I mean that there is the primary narration which is great on its own, but then there are fun little side notes (including side-thoughts from a curious beagle) which cover even more information. I wish most of the adults I talk to about archaeology had read this book...I'd get a lot fewer questions about my favorite dinosaur or the most expensive artifact I have found!