Investigating the Toy box: objects
Sometimes we do not have written records or pictures to help us find out information about the past, only the objects that have been left behind. These objects are called artefacts. The word artefact comes from the Latin words arte meaning skill and facere meaning to make, so all artefacts are made or used by man.
Archaeologists (who are the best history detectives in the world!) are people who look at these artefacts and can tell a lot about the people who left them behind. In this topic learners get to be an archaeologist!
Let’s investigate this toy box using the objects to give us information. Look at the picture below and answer the questions that follow. Remember that sometimes we cannot tell everything from the artefacts left behind.
Ariel’s toy box
Source: museumvictoria.com.au
This is a picture of a toy box Ariel found in the attic. It has toys that belonged to her mother and her uncle. By investigating the objects you can help Ariel learn more about their lives. Try to answer the following questions:
What objects can you see in the box?
Do you think this is a box of new toys?
What games do you think Ariel’s mother and uncle played when they were young?
What is your favourite toy?
How do you know that these objects are not new?
What games do you play?
Do you think Ariel’s mother and uncle played all the same games that you play today? What games didn’t they play?