This project will focus on developing computer-based modules for helping students learn about world civilizations and the theories and methods archaeologists use in their research. To accomplish this goal, a new course entitled Environmental Archaeology (ANT 495) will be used as a foundation for building and testing interactive web-based assignments to guide students through different problem solving exercises. As students progress through each module they will be confronted with a variety of maps, survey and excavation data, and other resources for analyzing a specific archaeological scenario and include

• interpreting maps and ancient artifacts;
• analyzing archaeologically recovered information;
• projecting outcomes of past social behavior; and
• suggesting reasons for why particular scenarios occurred.

The result of using these newly developed computer-based modules as part of an inquiry-based approach to archaeology will ultimately lead to a research-based education for students who can then advance their training by participating in archaeological field schools and/or laboratory work. Archaeology students will eventually go from working with these modules in the classroom and apply this information to field research projects where actual artifactual and faunal materials are used to answer critical questions about the past.