How Do Archeologists Know Where To Dig? Hidden Tels
Have you ever wondered how archaeologists know exactly where to dig to uncover ancient treasures? One fascinating way they figure this out is by searching for something called a "tel."
The term "tel" originates from the Hebrew word "תֵּל" (pronounced "tel"), which directly translates to "mound" or "heap" in English. In the context of archaeology, a tel is an archaeological mound that has developed over time due to the accumulation of layers from successive human settlements and activities. Each layer represents a different era of occupation, and by excavating through these layers, archaeologists can uncover valuable insights about the history and development of a particular site. The Hebrew word "tel" aptly describes this concept of a mound built up from the remains of ancient civilizations.
Now the single biggest contributor to the mass of a tel is mud bricks; which disintegrate rapidly. Excavating a tel can reveal buried structures such as government or military buildings; religious shrines, and homes, located at different depths; depending on their date of use. Also, they often overlap horizontally; vertically, or both. Archaeologists excavate tel sites to interpret architecture, purpose, and date of occupation.
You might be thinking that hills are everywhere, but these hills are special because they are built on top of places where people used to live. Imagine a small hill or mound that has grown over hundreds of years because people kept building and rebuilding their towns and villages on top of each other. Each new group of dwellers constructed their homes on the remains of those who came before them. Picture this: if you could cut through a tel like a cake, you'd see different layers, each representing a different era in its history.
Ancient texts like the Hebrew Bible, Talmud, talk about this pattern of building and destruction. For instance, in the book of Joshua, there's a mention of burning down towns on mounds. It's like they knew about this archaeological phenomenon way back then! Tels have stories to tell, and they're usually found in spots that are super strategic. Just like today, people in ancient times wanted to live in places with water nearby, a nice climate, good farming conditions, easy trade routes, and defenses to keep enemies at bay.
Imagine a puzzle where each piece is a different chapter of history. As settlements flourished in these prime locations, they'd eventually face attacks, get taken over, or be abandoned. But guess what? New folks would roll in and start building their own cities right on top of the old ones. They'd recycle materials like foundations, stones, and walls to create their new homes. Over time, this layering effect created tels, these mounds that hold the stories of generations.
Exploring the Past in the Classroom
One thing I like to do in the classroom is have students create their own tel. I have tried these strategies, and I think they are well worth the effort in your social studies classroom. Here are some tips on how to make your classmates as excited about archaeology as you are:
1. Story Time with Tels: Share the story of tels in a creative way. You could draw a simple comic strip showing the different layers forming over time. Use stick figures and labels to explain the process step by step. Everyone loves a good comic!
2. Build Your Tel: Get your classmates involved by creating a hands-on activity. Bring in different materials like small boxes, pebbles, and twigs. Each box can represent a different era, and as you stack them up, you're building your own mini tel. This tactile experience will help everyone understand how history piles up.
3. Time Travel Diary: Imagine you're a time traveler visiting a tel in different periods. Write short diary entries from the perspective of someone living in each layer. What do they eat? What are their worries? How do they build their homes? This exercise lets your classmates step into the shoes of people from the past.
4. Tel Hunt: Hide small objects or pictures around your classroom. Each object represents something from a specific era. Make a list of clues that guide your classmates to find these hidden "artifacts." It's like a treasure hunt through time!
5. Tel Talk Show: Pretend you're hosting a talk show where different layers of a tel are interviewed. Dress up as the people from each era and have a friendly chat about their lives. This playful activity lets your classmates engage with history in a fun and memorable way.
6. Create Your Tel Museum: Set up a classroom display with different layers representing various historical periods. Add labels and pictures to each layer to show how life evolved over time. You could even invite other classes to visit your museum and learn about tels too!
7. Dig into Your Community: Research if there's a local archaeological site or museum nearby. Plan a field trip to explore and see how the concept of tels relates to the history in your own area. Learning about the past becomes even more exciting when it's connected to where you live.
We want students to learn that cities have a habit of building on their own history—this isn't limited to ancient times, but it's true for modern cities as well. Just look at my home city of Seattle as an example. If you stroll over to Pioneer Square, you'll uncover a secret: three underground pathways built back in the 1890s. Here, you'll delve into Seattle's forgotten tales, even the story of the Great Seattle Fire, a blaze that wiped out the heart of Seattle on June 6, 1889. But Seattle isn't the only city with concealed stories beneath its surface. Places like London, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco hold hidden surprises beneath the pavement. And guess what? These hidden city histories are a bit like tels in their own way.
Now, let's play with ideas a bit. I like to ask students to think about how Seattle's underground passages compare to a tel you might find in the Middle East. Sure, they're thousands of miles apart, but the big idea is the same: over time, people build and rebuild on top of what's already there. Whether it's Seattle's hidden stories or a far-off tel's buried history, the concept stays steady. Nature even plays its part—just like those pyramids in Mexico, slowly being embraced by the lush jungle. So, remember, whether it's old cities, modern marvels, or ancient tels, the layers of history keep piling up, waiting for you to uncover their incredible tales.
