A thin layer of soil. Some of the student's personal possessions or photos. Top with another thin layer of soil. The student then numbers his or her shoe box. Do not label with names.
Students place shoe boxes in one corner of room so no one knows which is which.
Boxes are exchanged and taken outside for some very careful archaeological researching and digging to attempt to decipher the personality or lifestyle of the person whose box it is. At the end of the activity, it is always interesting to attempt to identify the shoe box owner.