Teaching “human history”: Using archaeological inquiry and community studies to develop 21st Century skills in secondary education

Historically in United States education, archaeological investigation and theory have been relegated to post-secondary education yet the investigative and inquiry-based skills used by archaeologists are essential to 21st century skills, a current pedagogical focus among American high schools. Students of color, especially those of African descent have little exposure to the foundations of archaeology and African contributions to humankind. Middle school and High school institutions can be key partners to universities in providing a pipeline for future archaeologists, researchers, and scholars when students and teachers are afforded the opportunity to explore methodology implored by archaeological practitioners. This paper highlights the use of archaeological curriculum at the secondary level and its implications for post-secondary work in African archaeology and African descendant communities in the USA.