The Total Station lesson will introduce youth to equipment archaeologists use to map the locations of excavation units, artifact clusters, and changes in elevation. Land surveyors and engineers also use this technology.
Grade Level: 6-8
Objective: The goal of the activity is for learners to use a piece of technology that archaeologists use during a site excavation. This lesson will be combined with the Pythagorean Theorem lesson in which youth learn to lay out a 1 x 1 m archaeological unit using the theorem.
Learning Outcomes: Youth will obtain hands-on experience with one piece of sensitive technology that allows archaeologists to take accurate measurement of excavations that can be transformed into computer-generated maps.
STEM: Technology
Materials: Total station, stadia rod, prism, tape measure, notebook, pencil
Time: 60 minutes
Overview: Total stations are used in many jobs – construction, surveying, etc. This equipment allows archaeologists to make a detailed map of a site location, lay out excavation units on a grid across a site, and record point data (features and artifacts). A total station is an optical instrument that measures horizontal angles, vertical angles, and distances. Angles and distances are measured from the total station to points being surveyed. They are very accurate devices.
Vocabulary: Total station, stadia rod, prism
Procedure: Ask learners if they have ever seen people using this type of equipment – maybe along the side of a road. Ask them if they know what it is for. Set a datum point and a back sight. Explain why these points are necessary. Show learners how to set up a total station. Have learners help with the set up (e.g., hold the stadia rod, measure height of total station, etc.). Divide learners into two groups. One group will start by holding the stadia rod at unit points laid out during the Pythagorean Theorem activity; the other half will use the total station to shoot in the coordinates of the unit corners. Switch after each learner in a group has had the opportunity to hold the rod or map a point. As an alternative, learners can lay out a point on a predetermined grid.
Assessment Activities: Each learner will have a turn using the total station and using the stadia rod.
Wrap up: Ask learners why using a total station is important for maintaining context at an archaeological site.
