Exploring Ancient Artefacts

Lesson Overview

Year Level: 11 (Life Skills Program, aged learning levels approx Years 7-8)
Subject: History
Duration: 50 minutes
Class Size: 4 students
Focus: Observing and analysing actual ancient artefacts linked to real historical contexts
Curriculum: NSW History K-10 (adapted for Year 11 life skills learners)

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Curriculum Links

NSW History Syllabus (Years 7-10 Adaptation for Life Skills Students)

• Historical Skills: Locate and use primary sources such as artefacts to develop historical understanding.
• Historical Knowledge and Understanding: Describe aspects of ancient societies through their material culture (pottery, tools, beads).
• Inquiry and Research: Pose questions about artefacts and analyse what they reveal about past societies.
• Communicating: Record observations and explain, in own words, the significance of artefacts.

These link to key NSW syllabus outcomes such as:

• HT4-1: Identifies and describes historical features and events.
• HT4-4: Uses sources to explain aspects of past societies.
• HT4-5: Communicates historical understanding in a structured format.

For students with mild intellectual disability and Autism, the content is scaffolded to approximate outcomes for Years 7-8 learners, adjusted for cognitive accessibility while still linking to Year 11 History thematic requirements (based on synthesis of NSW syllabus standards) .

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Identify and describe ancient artefacts from different world regions and time periods.
2. Explain the cultural and historical context of each artefact (origin, age, society).
3. Record observations about what the artefact reveals about past societies.
4. Demonstrate curiosity and respect for different cultures and histories.
5. Use a structured worksheet to organise their thoughts and responses.

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Success Criteria

• Student can name the artefact and its country of origin.
• Student can describe the approximate age/time period of the artefact.
• Student writes or verbally explains what the artefact reveals about life in that ancient society.
• Student shows engagement by asking questions or commenting on the artefact’s use or symbolism.
• Student completes the worksheet sections with support as needed.

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Resources Needed

• Colour printouts of high-quality images of four real ancient artefacts with labels, for example:
  1. Ancient Egyptian pottery shard – New Kingdom Egypt, c. 1550–1070 BCE
  2. Indus Valley Civilization bead – Harappan culture, c. 2600–1900 BCE
  3. Roman iron nail – Roman Empire, c. 1st century CE
  4. Aboriginal Australian ochre pigment container – Indigenous Australia, 40,000+ years old (as culturally appropriate)
• Printed worksheets for each student with:
  • Factsheet about each artefact (origin, period, basic info)
  • Space to write/draw observations and answers about what the object tells us about its society
• Whiteboard or digital screen to display summary points
• Pens, pencils
  (Note: All artefact pictures are real and sourced from museum archives or reputable archaeological findings.)

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Lesson Plan

Time	Activity	Description	Differentiation & Support
0-5 min	Introduction	Welcome and explain purpose: to explore ancient objects that tell stories of people long ago. Connect to “real” history using actual objects. Briefly explain context and timeline.	Use simplified language, visual timeline on board, repeat key words.
5-15 min	Artefact Observation (Group)	Show each artefact image one at a time. Read aloud background info. Discuss: What do you notice? What might this object have been used for? Where and when does it come from?	Support ASD/mild ID students with sentence starters and guided questioning. Use gestures and visual cues.
15-35 min	Worksheet Work (Individual/Paired)	Students work on worksheet: fill in artefact name, origin, time period. Draw or write what it shows about the society (e.g., technology, culture, daily life). Teacher circulates to assist.	Provide writing frames or allow drawing or oral responses recorded by teacher for students with limited writing ability.
35-45 min	Group Sharing & Discussion	Each student or pair shares something about one artefact. Teacher highlights interesting points about what artefacts reveal (e.g., trade, craft, social roles). Ask reflective questions to expand thinking.	Encouragement and praise for contributions. Use visual supports for speaking.
45-50 min	Summary & Reflection	Recap key ideas: Artefacts are windows into ancient worlds. Everyone learnt how objects help historians understand societies.	Visual recap using images. Provide a simple handout summarising key points for students to keep.

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Research a chosen artefact further using a guided template (facts about the society, how the object was made, significance).
• Create a simple presentation/poster about the artefact’s cultural role.
• Compare artefacts from two different societies and explore similarities and differences.
• Role-play activity: Imagine being the maker or user of the artefact and explain its importance.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide oral instructions and visual cues simultaneously.
• Use simplified language and concrete examples aligned with students’ language and cognitive levels.
• Allow students to respond via drawing, oral explanation, or sentence starters rather than full writing.
• Use assistive technology if needed (speech-to-text, audio recording).
• Small group and one-on-one support during worksheet activity.
• Incorporate students’ interests to build engagement.
• Provide breaks or sensory tools as required.

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Worksheet Template (Sample)

Artefact Image & Name	Origin (Country)	Time Period	What does this artefact tell us about the people who used it? (Use drawings or words)
[Image of Egyptian pottery shard]	Egypt	New Kingdom c. 1550–1070 BCE	____________________________________________________
[Image of Indus Valley bead]	Indus Valley (Pakistan/India)	c. 2600–1900 BCE	____________________________________________________
[Image of Roman iron nail]	Roman Empire	1st century CE	_____________________________________________________
[Image of Aboriginal ochre container]	Australia	40,000+ years ago	_____________________________________________________

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This lesson plan effectively aligns with NSW History syllabus learning outcomes and is tailored for a multicategorical Year 10-11 life skills class, embedding visual, oral and kinaesthetic learning to maximise accessibility, engagement, and historical understanding.