Number each object and display it on a table or shelf. Divide the students into teams. Lastly, ask the students to make hypotheses about the owner and his or her lifestyle. Have them list such things as gender, age, nationality, hobbies, interests, travel, experience, talent, and goals. At the end of the presentation have the owner of the object comment on the accuracy of the report.
Afterlife Have a discussion on the belief in afterlife by ancient civilizations.
The artifacts found in burial chambers have given us a wealth of information about early people and their cultures. The emperors of China filled their tombs with everything they felt they would need in the afterlife. Ask the students to make a list of things they would take with them if they were moving to the wilderness where there were no stores and no other people. Compare the lists and discuss what the objects tell us about our culture and lifestyle. Discuss landfills, libraries, museums, electronic information, etc.