Why the Interest in Archeology?

Archeology is the study of our human past, giving us a sense of historical continuity. Its rich subject matter is of great appeal to people who love solving mysteries. Archeologists use their knowledge of biology, botany, geology, chemistry, history, psychology and art to develop the story about how people lived. Since artifacts turn up in the strangest places, millions of people travel the world to experience these accountings by visiting wonders such as the abandoned Pueblos of the South West, the Easter Island Statues, or the Coliseum in Rome. The British Museum and our own Smithsonian Museums are among the many displaying magnificent relics from past eras.

Unlike other countries, it is legal in the United States to explore private land for artifacts as long as you have permission from the property owner. Metal detectors are often used to help spot a hidden coin, button, or jewelry. Some people are lucky enough to find an arrowhead or a revolutionary coin in their own backyard. Their find is a reminder that the land we call home once belonged to other people who used the property in a different way. Construction permits are often given only after there is proof that no hidden history remains on the site. When the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia wanted to build a new wing, they had to delay their work to give archeologists a chance to explore the site that was rich in historical artifacts.

Many countries have instituted looting laws that make it illegal to dig up artifacts and sell them. The Medici Conspiracy by Peter Watson tells a fascinating tale of intrigue and illegal sales to many well known national and international museums. Illegal looting, false provenance (proof of history), and alteration of the artifact itself fed into sales for both knowing and unwary purchasers. Buyer beware! There is an ongoing trial in Italy today involving Marion True, a former antiquities curator of the Getty, on charges of conspiring to acquire looted objects for the museum.

Recently archeologists found culprits involved in looting 11 graves at Fort Craig in New Mexico. Most noteworthy was finding a preserved Buffalo Soldier of the Civil War black brigade. Of the three culpable men, Alberts, a legitimate academic, participated because he wanted to be able to reference the finds in his writings and lectures. Lew Batsell, who mostly collected legal artifacts, got carried away with this illegal excavation when his drinking buddies plotted the dig on federal land. Batsell, who is repentant for his actions, considers himself a protector of the public interest and plans to donate his vast collection upon death. The third and master illegal gravedigger, Dee Brecheisen, never revealed his secrets and did not have a provision for donating his vast collection. Samir Patel, a senior editor for Archeology Magazine, in the March/April 2009 edition reports that Brecheisen went so far as to display the mummified remains of the Buffalo soldier which was found in a cardboard chicken feed barrel as a curio. Surprising for a Vietnam vet!

The amateur archeologist has lots of opportunity to participate as a volunteer in legitimate digs around the world. I’ve been involved with Earthwatch exploring Ancient Medieval Burial grounds in Poland. What an experience! The people I worked with were as fascinating as the dig, and the professors provided a rich background of the region that it would be hard to get from books.

If you are looking for adventure and travel or even want to test out a new career, you can find out about legitimate opportunities in the U.S. or abroad by going to the The Archaeological Institute of Americas.

To get your children interested in archeology go to www. museumtour.com and give them their own dig opportunity at home with Expedition the World Dig. Or, explore the world’s most famous archeological sites in our Archeology Internet-Linked book.

Can Amazon’s Kindle Save the U.S. Education System?

Each year the nation’s school systems spend millions of dollars replacing old text books. Electronics now offers a new solution based on the Kindle. According to the Democratic Leadership Council in their report called "A Kindle In Every Backpack” that text books could easily be replaced on an e-book reader, saving the student the back-breaking task of carrying a heavy backpack. Costs should be lower with an electronic book reader, making it easier to provide up-to-date materials without shipping expenses while saving our forests. There are other costs such as maintenance, cost of licensing and downloading, but once prices for a Kindle or competing e-reader are lowered electronic readers will become an economical solution that schools will need to consider.

Stop Cyber-bullying with Education!

There has been an increase in Cyberbullying over the last year and it is starting to be blamed for many acts of violence, and even teen suicide. Since children may be exposed to Cyberbullying on a regular basis it is time for parents and schools to address this issue. Cyberbullying may be part of a pattern of offline bullying as well. A child who allows himself to be bullied may have other issues such as depression, problems at home, peer intimidation, and self-esteem issues. Some of the signs to look for are a reluctance to go online or use a cell phone, mood swings, depression, avoiding a discussion about what is being done online, aloofness, change in eating habits, and a general disinterest in school.

The Religious Wars' New Front: U.S. History Classes in Texas

Schools and Education are constantly under attack in many different ways, financially, logistically, and even religiously. In Texas there is a recommendation by curriculum reviewers appointed by the State Board of Education to have certain items removed or de-emphasized in an effort to put forth a more conservative religious view point.

I believe that religious views have no place influencing curriculum in a publicly supported institution. Reading books like The People’s History of The World by Howard Zinn makes you aware of how politics, not facts, have often influenced history. In a free country isn’t it time to expand our understanding of all beliefs and not put on blinders? It is important to learn about liberal as well as conservative ideas and actions. Teachings from the Bible remain a prerogative of the church unless religious books from all religions are presented in a "religions of the world class."

Understanding Your Gifted Child

Last week I learned of a school that punished a 10 year old child who consistently arrived late and without homework. When a consultant suggested exploring the situation it was discovered that the child was living in a car, had no place to do homework, and was hungry as well as exhausted. This child was amazing in that he came to school at all.
The school had no idea who that child really was. With a little coaching, the school changed its tactics and started looking at this child and others as individuals. Instead of punishment a system of writing notes was instituted that said “I’m so glad you are here.” A homework study place was made available for the boy and the family was helped to find housing and food. Rather than the possibility of heading for prison, that child started to blossom.

Understanding a child and really knowing his or her abilities and situation, responding appropriately, and creating opportunity for success applies to the bright child as well as the homeless. With large classroom sizes and busy family life it may seem like quite a burden to have to respond to a child’s individual needs. But by developing a mindset that looks for individuality, by appreciating abilities, motivation, physical and emotional requirements, and by developing an arsenal of responses that encourages instead of punishes, the job becomes possible.
Having positive words, phrases, and activities at the tip of your tongue can make it easy to respond in an appropriate manner no matter how surprising the behavior.


What knowledge helps in working with talented children? First, boys and girls learn differently. Educator and family therapist Michael Gurian presents scientific evidence that documents biological gender differences that influence learning. In his book Girls and Boys Learn Differently he states that “girls talk sooner, develop better vocabularies, read better, and have better fine motor skills. Boys, on the other hand, have better auditory memory and are better at three-dimensional reasoning, are more prone to explore, and achieve greater abstract design ability after puberty.”

Boys tend to be deductive in their reasoning, starting from a general principle and applying the information to other cases. Girls tend to be inductive, adding to their base of conceptualization with concrete examples. Boys are better at calculating even if they don’t see the object. Blackboard math is easy to comprehend. When a math concept is taught using a manipulative, the female brain often finds it easier to grasp the concept.

Knowing gender differences should influence the way language, art, math and science are taught. Many talented children are considered trouble makers just because they have a different way of reasoning and responding. Educators who take these differences into account can develop appropriate opportunities that are exciting to the child’s learning style. However, a word of caution….every child does not respond the same, so even within the generalizations made by various studies it is necessary to evaluate each child’s reasoning abilities and teach to that mode.

Secondly, realize that there are ways of expressing intelligence. Not everyone is talented in every field. According to educator Howard Gardner there are several types of “Intelligences” or ways of knowing the world. These include being people smart, word smart, picture smart, self smart, nature smart, number/reasoning smart, body smart, and music smart. Knowing your talented child’s intelligence style(s) can help you introduce academic subjects by using the learning strength of the child. For instance a child who has Musical Intelligence might learn history through song. A bodily-kinesthetic learner might learn through active games and performances.

Inappropriate labels become an obstacle and a third area to consider. Gifted boys especially have to deal with the label of being called a nerd or a geek. A boy may experience peer and family pressure to fit in with the crowd. There may be high expectations requiring extra work and increased responsibilities. At times cultural differences reinforcing “manly” activities such as sports, cars, and girl watching get in the way of a young boy reaching his learning potential. Children are told that they have to do things in certain, often boring, way that may be inappropriate to the learner. A poor or minority child may never be seen as gifted. Sexism, harassment, discrimination, and even intimidated males who are uncomfortable with women, are issues faced by girls. Parents and teachers need to be aware of these biases and pave the way for their children to overcome stereotypical obstacles.

Planning a path by setting educational goals is the fourth item to consider for your gifted child. Parents and teachers along with the gifted child together need to devise a strategy for learning. Goal setting needs to incorporate problems and risks being faced by the child whether real or imaginary. Parents can help by developing quiet places for work and study and having at hand resources such as books and writing material. They should be seen as a partner to the teacher who may be overwhelmed with the individual needs in a classroom. Parents can extend the classroom experience into the home and community.

Busy adults and those who are worried about keeping up with their own child’s advanced requirements can find outside mentors in such places like Boys and Girls Clubs, area business clubs, sororities and fraternities, with their families, and within their own social groups. You would be amazed at how few people ask for help and how readily it is available.

Stress is a particularly important thing for the family to monitor, especially in a motivated high achieving child. Teaching your child to relax and to balance work with play will have the benefit of making work time productive. Children want to please their parents and teachers. Fear of failure often produces failure and makes a child with high potential into a “loser.”

Talented children are fun. Their potential is great and with proper nurturing they can contribute a great deal to solving the world’s problems. These children do take up your time. They do require individual attention, understanding, and organization but the results will be worthwhile. That is your job Mom, Dad, Coach and Teacher!

Do Large Animals Have a Chance to Survive?

According to livescience.com, Grant Harris from the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, new research suggests that the beautiful images we see of large migratory animals may come to an end. Because of human development about one quarter of these large animals weighing in at over 44 pounds have typically traveled in large herds that can not depend on one location for food so they move with the changing seasons.
Now at least six species are either extinct or no longer migrate. Sometimes hunting, or poaching, fences in National Parks, agriculture and other development blocks migration, confining the species. With more studies about these migrating species it is hoped that a better way to leave paths open will be developed.

Does Your Teen Stay Up Nights to Text?

According to the Miami Herald night texting and late cell phone calls to friends is posing a health risk by causing increased sleep disorders. According to the National Sleep Foundation, nine hours of sleep is needed for school age children. With these new devices influencing our lives, teens are falling asleep in school and walk around distracted due to sleep deprivation.