Lesson plan based on Fallen Warrior

Calculate artifact size and ship capacity based on the excavation of an ancient Roman shipwreck.

Skills and Focus: Measuring, Calculation

Subject Area: Mathematics

Thematic Connection: Counting and Calculating

Grade Level: Secondary School

Time Needed: 60 minutes

Objectives

•Measure distances between objects on an excavation plan.

•Convert measurements from a plan to actual sizes.

•Calculate the average height of ceramic vessels in a shipwreck.

•Calculate the capacity of the ship.

Instructional Materials Needed

.shipwreckplan

(found at http://nautarch.tamu.edu/ina/siteplan3.htm)

excavationphotos

(found at http://nautarch.tamu.edu/ina/YA4-artifact.htm)

sectiondrawing

(found at http://nautarch.tamu.edu/ina/images/Yassiada4/ya4-650.JPG)

reconstruction

(found at http://nautarch.tamu.edu/ina/images/Yassiada4/ya4-662.JPG)

Activity

Step 1: Discuss the origin of the Fallen Warrior in a shipwreck. Tell students that the Yassiada shipwreck dates to the fourth century AD. Have them estimate the size of the ship and of the artifacts inside based on the scale on the plan.

Step 2: Have students measure and record the sizes of the ceramic vessels from the shipwreck. Help students calculate the average height based on these measurements.

Step 3: Students should estimate the capacity of the ship using the section drawing and reconstruction.

Goals

This activity meets Illinois State Goal 7: Estimate, make, and use measurements of objects, quantities, and relationships and determine acceptable levels of accuracy.

This activity meets Illinois State Goal 10: Collect, organize, and analyze data using statistical methods to predict results and interpret uncertainty and change in practical applications.

© 2000, by The Art Institute of Chicago. All rights reserved. Use of this program is subject to the terms below. No part of this program may be reproduced, transmitted or distributed in any form or by any means, except for personal or classroom use. All Copyright in and to the program, in whole or in part, belongs to the publisher and its licensors and is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office