Introducing children to archaeology: On site and in the classroom

Abstract

This paper introduces a case study from Oslo, Norway, where two outreach programmes aimed at local chil dren have been carried out by the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) as part of devel opment-led archaeological investigations relating to the construction of the new Medieval Park (Middelalder parken). The first programme involved inviting younger children from four local kindergartens to site, whereas the second programme involved archaeologists visiting fourth graders at school. Both programmes had a clear pedagogical element at their core. The programmes are discussed in relation to both previous work we have done with children, and to the broader literature on archaeology, history and education.