ArkaeoSources for teenager ages 13 to 18

By viewing archaeology as a scientific discipline devoted to studying objects made by humans, you will discover an array of resources for delving into this area. These are organized alphabetically or by period.

This collection is carefully curated, so please feel free to suggest additional resources that you think should be included.

Selective references catalogue (ages 13-18)

Just a reminder : archaeologists are not paleontologists.
A video such as Archaeology dig reveals preserved dinosaur does not represent the work of archaeologists, but of paleontologists studying dinosaurs. Therefore, this video should be called Paleontologist dig reveals preserved dinosaur. This misconception on archaeology is unfortunately very common.

A frequent mistake is to link archeological research and excavating.
If that were the case, paleontologists, geologists, and other disciplines should be associated with archaeology, which is not the case because archaeology allows us to understand humans through their technical productions. This is why references focused on chocolate-making or the construction of a building are ideal for helping young children understand how an archaeologist thinks.

An archaeologist often practices reverse engineering on human productions. In order to understand how humans have made a certain object from what they discover, archaeologists must find the raw materials, tools, and what was done during the fabrication process. This accounts for the importance of knowing how chocolate or buildings are made. A good example of this work is given by the research of amateur archaeologist Jean-Pierre Houdin, who found how Egyptian pyramids were built as you can see in the video on the left.

Access the Teenager profile

Video Games

Archaeology X is an open world Archaeology exploration game where you dig for ancient treasures, relics. Discover items hidden for 1000’s of years, also explore long lost caves or tombs — Free on Steam for Windows with review on YouTube by Florida Public Archaeology Network
Go Roman: Life on the Antonine Wall by Historic Environment Scotland: Learn what life was like at Bar Hill fort, one of several Roman forts and fortlets built along the Antonine Wall in Scotland nearly 2,000 years ago. Play this interactive game as either Julius, an elite Roman archer or Verecunda, a new slave girl to find out what life was like at the fort and help them complete their tasks on time. As you play, collect hidden coins to discover the stories of those who lived in or near the fort. Examine 3D models of archaeological artefacts excavated at Bar Hill fort or along the Antonine Wall and learn what these items are, where they were likely made, and how they would have been used. — Free on IOS and Android
In the game Jo & Rubi: Archaeology at the Harbour, players accompany Jo, a curious child, and Rubi the robin on an exciting journey into the world of archaeology! It’s a mixture of adventure and knowledge transfer, curiosity, team spirit and discovery — Paid game for IOS and Android
In Heaven’s Vault, you take on the role of archaeologist Aliya Elasra, as she embarks on an expedition to the enigmatic Nebula, accompanied by her robotic companion. As you delve into this mysterious realm, every decision and action you take will shape the narrative, ensuring a fully personalized and dynamic experience. — Paid game on Steam, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch
In the game Ancient Cities, you will explore the tools and methods uncovered through archaeological excavations in this city-building strategy and survival game set in ancient times. Take charge of your tribe and guide them through the ancient era! — Paid game for Windows
The Excavate! series of educational games allows you to immerse yourself in the role of an archaeologist, exploring ancient ruins and conducting research in the lab. — Paid games for mobile and tablet on iOS and Android
The iconic Assassin’s Creed universe, developed with researchers, has given rise to the Assassin’s Creed Discovery Tour collection, which allows visitors to freely explore ancient Greece, ancient Egypt, and the Viking Age. It provides information on historical events and everyday life in these regions and periods — Paid video games for consoles and computers

Board Games

In Thebes, take on the role of an archaeologist in the 19th century and curate exhibitions to become a legend. — The most renowned board game on the archaeology theme is only available used and is perfect for 3 to 4 players. Resources for the game can be found on Board Game Geek.
In 7 Wonders, choose a civilization and master your techniques to build a wonder. — A fast-paced game for 3 to 7 players, or even 2 with a special rule.
In Stone Age, find raw materials, feed your population, and develop your techniques to become the most influential tribe in the valley. — A game for 2 to 4 players, ideal for understanding the Neolithic period.
In the game Origin, embark on the journey of human expansion by accomplishing objectives, dominating waterways or hunting grounds, and expanding your knowledge. Beginning in Africa, travel across the globe to amass resources, climb the evolutionary ladder, and earn the most points. — A game for 2 to 4 players
Paleo is a co-operative adventure game set in the stone age, a game in which players try to keep the human beings in their care alive while completing missions. Sometimes you need a fur, sometimes a tent, but these are all minor quests compared to your long-term goal: Painting a woolly mammoth on the wall so that humans thousands of years later will know that you once existed. — A survival game for 2-4 players in relation with archaeological understanding of those time

You want to play online to this board games, go on boardgamearena.com

References and digital resources

ArkeoTopia, Archaeological Resources from the Augustin’s World: photos and explanations of each step – Discover the steps of archaeological research with videos, observation games, as well as additional information.
Archaeo Book Club, an online community for lovers of archaeology and book — Podcast, Discord and more
Explore the world of history with Goodreads, a platform dedicated to exchange about historical fiction and non-fiction books. Delve into various genres, including comics, tales, verse, novels, and documentaries, spanning different eras and catering to students of all levels.
Google Arts & Culture, At the Dawn of Art — resources on prehistoric art, including illustrations, 3D objects, and videos
UNESCO, World Heritage List—a visual and informational resource that allows you to contribute to the Wikipedia article on: World Heritage List
Collectively, a list of archaeological sites by country, Wikipedia — information and illustrations on world cultural heritage from different periods, with the option of reading it in different languages

Fiction and Graphic Novels

Jean-Olivier Gransard-Desmond. “Archaeologists without Borders”: After a Swedish conference, archaeologist Ghattas Jeries Sayej, affiliated with the Palestinian Cultural Exchange Association, invites Alex and Lisa to join an exciting mission. Despite the ongoing armed conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, the Palestinian Association for Cultural Exchange is seeking volunteers to lead a mission to study the site of Al-Jib, an ancient Israeli city, and raise awareness among locals about its cultural significance. An opportunity for Alex and Lisa to apply their theory on archaeologists’ roles. How will locals perceive Westerners entering a sensitive area? — A short science story based on real facts
Hoshino Yukinobu, Professor Munakata’s British Museum Adventure. British Museum Press. 2011: Professor Munakata solves mysteries and makes deductions about the museum’s iconic artifacts. — Manga is a Japanese comic book.
David Macaulay. Motel of the Mysteries. Clarion Books. 1979: In 4022, all of the US is buried under debris from a 1985 disaster. Imagine the excitement of Howard Carson, an amateur archaeologist, when he accidentally discovered a buried chamber by stepping through a hole in an abandoned excavation site. The chamber was sealed, as indicated by a “Do not disturb” sign. Carson’s discoveries, including two bodies, one on a ceremonial bed and the other in a porcelain sarcophagus, allowed him to understand the entirety of this remarkable civilization. – An illustrated story that humorously examines the archaeology of modern society, highlighting the work of archaeologists.
Naoki Urasawa. Hokusei Katsushika and Takashi Nagasaki. Master Keaton. VIZ Media (LLC). 2014: Manga which serie tells the story of Taichi Hiraga-Keaton, an archaeologist, insurance investigator, and former SAS member who travels the world experiencing adventures.
Rutu Modan. Tunnels. Drawn and Quaterly, 2020: A race for the Ark of the Covenant finds an exploration into the ethics and world of the international antiquity trade – Comic book about archaeologists working on the ancient and the contemporary periods in Jerusalem
Agatha Christie. Murder in Mesopotamia. Harper. 2001: A nurse discovers her archaeologist husband’s murder on the Tigris. She suspects “Lovely Louise”, his wife, is involved, but can’t prove it. Hercule Poirot will soon join the dig and uncover the truth. Louise is having hallucinations, and the group’s tension is high. Can Poirot save the day? – A novel about the contemporary period in the Middle East

The novels that follow focus more on historical periods and civilizations than on archaeology itself.
We have arranged them from prehistory to history.

Jean M. Auel. Earth’s Children Series: Somewhere in Europe, 35,000 years ago, the Cro-Magnon Ayla lost her parents. Adopted by the Cave Bear Clan, a Neanderthal tribe, she will experience funny, moving, and terrifying adventures — A novel for ages 15 and up about the Upper Paleolithic period in Europe, incorporating many findings from archaeological discoveries made during the author’s time.
Robert Harris. Pompeii. Random House Trade Paperbacks. 2005: All along the Mediterranean coast, the Roman empire’s richest citizens are relaxing in their luxurious villas, enjoying the last days of summer. The world’s largest navy lies peacefully at anchor in Misenum. The tourists are spending their money in the seaside resorts of Baiae, Herculaneum, and Pompeii. — Review on the Archaeology website
John Preston. The Dig. Penguin Books. 2008: In the long hot summer of 1939 Britain is preparing for war. But on a riverside farm in Suffolk there is excitement of another kind: Mrs Pretty, the widowed farmer, has had her hunch proved correct that the strange mounds on her land hold buried treasure. As the dig proceeds against a background of mounting national anxiety, it becomes clear though that this is no ordinary find … and soon the discovery leads to all kinds of jealousies and tensions.
Elizabeth Peters. Amelia Peabody Series: At the end of the 19th century, Amelia Peabody is an extravagant and unconventional woman in her thirties who lives extraordinary adventures in Egypt. – A collection of novels set in ancient Egypt and contemporary 19th-century England.

Activity workbooks

Jean-Olivier Gransard-Desmond (dir.). Mon cahier d’archéologie 8 ans et plus. Collection Le Monde d’Augustin 2. Fedora. 2018 — In english, discover the steps of archaeological research with free online drawings, videos, observation games, as well as additional information.
John R. White. Hands-On Archaeology: Real-Life Activities for Kids. Prufrock Pr. 2005 — Don’t be misled by the title: this book offers a hands-on approach to archaeology for teenagers aged 12 to 18, using adapted methods and techniques.

Cartoons and movies

Royer Lecureux and André Cheret, adapted by Pascal Morelli. Rahan channel: Follow the epic adventure of Rahan, a 16 year old boy whose name means “Son of the Brave,” 35 000 years ago. He is convinced that one day all “those-who-walk-upright” will live in peace. Rahan soon finds an unlikely ally in his quest: Ursus, a majestic bear transformed into an absurd and talkative little creature by the evil Shadow Queen. — An animated cartoon that offers insights into how prehistoric beings developed inventions by observing nature and passing them down from one another.
Bernard Deyriès and Hisayuki Toriumi. The Mysterious Cities of Gold . 1982-1983: It is the 16th century. From all over Europe, great ships sail west to conquer the New World, the Americas. The men, eager to seek their fortune, to find new adventures in new lands. They long to cross uncharted seas and discover unknown countries, to find secret gold on a mountain trail high in the Andes. They dream of following the path of the setting sun that leads to El Dorado and the Mysterious Cities of Gold. — This cartoon, which includes fantasy elements, also has a documentary section. Viewers can learn about pre-Columbian civilizations while being entertained. Available freely on YouTube.
Simon Stone. The dig. 2021: This movie invites viewers to explore the origins of archaeology in the United Kingdom through a piece displayed at the British Museum. — Review on BBC with The Dig “The Sutton Hoo Anglo Saxon treasures that inspired a Netflix film“
Stephen Frears. The Lost King. 2022: Based on the 2013 book The King’s Grave: The Search for Richard III by Philippa Langley and Michael Jones. It is a dramatisation of the story of Philippa Langley, the woman who initiated the search to find King Richard III’s remains under a car park in Leicester, and her treatment by the University of Leicester in the claiming of credit for the discovery. — Archaeologist reviews the movie on YouTube
Benjamin Gates. National Treasure. 2004-2023: The plot of the films and books centers around the Gates family – treasure hunters who search for and preserve lost valuables from the history of the United States of America — The National Treasure franchise consists of American historical fiction action-adventures, including two released theatrical films, a prequel book series, and a television series set 20 years after the films with notion of protection of cultural heritage and transmitting a great deal of real information.
Stephen Sommers. The Mummy. 1999: It is a remake of the 1932 film and part of the larger Universal Monsters franchise. The film follows adventurer and treasure hunter Rick O’Connell as he travels to Hamunaptra, the City of the Dead, with librarian Evelyn Carnahan and her older brother Jonathan, where they accidentally awaken Imhotep, a cursed high priest with supernatural powers. — For 13+, the atmosphere of 19th-century archaeology with plenty of humor and action.
John Rogers. The Librarians. 2014: The series follows four new Library recruits: Colonel Eve Baird, a NATO anti-terrorist, destined to be the new Guardian; Ezekiel Jones, a skilled thief; Cassandra Cillian, a magician; and Jacob Stone, a polymath. The last three received invitations to the Library at the same time as Flynn Carsen, but they didn’t attend their interviews. — For 14+, A team that protects ancient artifacts. One character is explicitly an expert in archaeology.

Documentaries

FAQ from Archaeological Institute of American except that archaeology is not about excavating, but about understanding human beings through the traces they have left or are currently producing.
Paul G. Bahn et Caroline Bird, Archaeology: The Definitive Guide, Fog City Pres. 2002, 432 p. et 650 illustrations – A two-part guide: a narrative to explore the past, a guide to discover the major sites on each continent.
Collective. Archaeology Entry on Wikipedia. [consulted 12/29/2025 à 14:00] providing information, images and links to specialties.
SCC Archaeology, How Has Archaeology Revealed Anglo-Saxon Rendlesham?. 2023. — An animated video which explains the archaeological techniques that were used to uncover the remains of the royal settlement at Rendlesham. More information on the emmayouell.com
To find archaeology magazines around the world use Wikipedia category like Archeology, a magazine dedicated to the popularization and news about archaeology in the World.
University of Oregon. Archaeology Field School Experience: Student Unearths 12,000-Year-Old Artifact. 2024: Gabi shares how her love for the outdoors, science, and making a difference inspired her to major in anthropology with a focus on archaeology. From her first class to discovering a 12,000-year-old artifact, Gabi highlights the pivotal role the University of Oregon played in shaping her career path. — Quick video on school student and what is a field school experience
Florida Public Archaeology Network. Field School: Shovel Testing. 2021: In this episode Kara Wallace, University of West Florida Field Director and graduate student, explains some of the fieldwork she led for her thesis research in the summer of 2021. She explains how learning surveying techniques and shovel testing prepares students for future job opportunities! — Video showing a field school excavation with students, site context, objectives, and what we are trying to understand

Field Trips

If you’re looking for a day out with friends, check out the Museums section on Wikipedia, or contact your local museum or archaeological service.

The following links provide suggestions for excavation sites and ways to make your museum trip more interesting:

The European Archaeology Days are an opportunity for you to celebrate archaeology every year in June in Europe.
The European Heritage Days provides ideas and tips for families who want to visit museums and cultural sites in Europe.
The International Archaeology Day is an opportunity for you to celebrate archaeology every year in October in the US but also abroad.
The Heritage Open Days helps you find cultural outings suited to your child’s age in UK.
Science festival around the world