ThatHomeschoolDad Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Last week, DD just finished her ninth HS dig in 7 years, working with retired archaeologist and master storyteller, Geoff "Big Dog" Purcell, who runs dothedig,net. Geoff is based in Albany, NY, but has done student digs throughout the northeast. The artifacts are real, as are the techniques participants learn -- more brush and less shovel. Geoff essentially recreates an actual dig, from, say the Lamanai site in Belize, but compresses what was a site of 10 or more feet deep into a more manageable 3 feet. It takes a dozen or so kids three or four days to carefully find, map, remove, and clean or reassemble all the artifacts. All the while, they work to come up with viable theories, based on the context under their boots, as to what happened, to whom, how, and why. It's awesome, and addicting "alive" world history. Has anyone else done a "Big Dog" dig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkacademy Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Not here but I want to now!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theYoungerMrsWarde Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 That is so awesome! We did a pretend dig in our sandbox last year, but nothing so official and authentic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 We love love love Big Dog! My son participated twice a year for three or four years. An amazing experience for all. Geoff holds all ages rapt with his storytelling, does NOT dumb down his presentation and kids from five to fifty-five get it. Discovering the artifacts (except for that one year when the rain turned the site to muck) is a wonderful experience. I highly encourage anyone within range of one of the digs to sign up. A few people in our group were driving over an hour to participate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Uhura Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 If you can, do not miss a Big Dog dig!!! We did it twice a year for several years and my kids learned so much. Thismyear it was too far to drive and I have a chronically ill son now. We were very sad to miss it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 OH, that sounds so cool but there is nothing at all close to us :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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