Dig™

Archaeology & History for grades 5-9

Travel into the past with DIG as archaeologists and historians explore the mysteries of ancient civilizations. Full of exclusive scoops and photos seen nowhere else, each issue of this classroom magazine features articles about the latest archaeological discoveries, on-site reports from important digs, and special sections done in partnership with leading museums. With DIG, aspiring archaeologists are inspired to continue to explore the past on their own.

In addition to robust nonfiction articles, here is a sampling of the regular features you'll find in each issue of DIG magazine for grades 5-9:

• Did You Know?: Quick fact related to archaeology and issue's theme
• Five Facts: From wacky to humorous to stimulating - and all related to the theme
• Ask Dr. Dig: Answers questions submitted by readers
• Stones and Bones: Brief entries focusing on recent finds
• Joke: Quick - and funny
• The Adventures of Dr. Dig: A cartoon feature that introduces readers to Dr. Dig in the field
• What’s This?: Back cover feature that asks readers to identify an artifact
• Resources: Variety of resources designed to encourage delving into archaeology
• Numbers: Two facts that tell of uncovered finds - how many, how old, how big, and the like
• On the Web: Variety of Web sites that will broaden readers' understanding of theme
• Artifacts: Features an uncovered find (often a piece of art) and several facts about it
• DIG Stuff: Publishes readers’ comments, sometimes with art
• Awesome Art: Publishes readers’ art
• Activities: Engaging, interesting, and mentally stimulating ways to review material in the issue

"What a fantastic resource and educational tool - I only wish I had the opportunity to read DIG^TM in my childhood days." - March Hilveda, President, Into Archaeology

MYTHS AND LEGENDS (Oct, 2006)

Well, ­ you have asked what's myth and what's real and how can you tell the difference if, in fact, there is a difference. Here's an issue to answer your questions. DIGTM will travel the world checking out truth and fiction, and how fiction is sometimes based on truth. We'll travel to Oregon's Crater Lake where myth and the historical and geological record connect. Heard the Civil War story of the cat in the cannon? We'll go onsite with archaeolgists to tell you the "real story." Then, it's off to the ancient Greek world to find out if there really were Amazon warriors and what digging around Delphi and the oracle site has revealed. While with the ancient Greeks, we'll revisit the story of Atlantis - think it's true? We'll have a few answers for you. There's a stop in China to find out why no one's excavating an emperor's tomb. Is the legend really true? And, that's not all. We'll also be in England checking out a giant burial and in Egypt checking in on Cleopatra.



Teacher's Guide

About the Cover

DId the Greek hero Jason ever battle the fierce Hydra? Not according to the ancient Greeks. Their myths often told of the superhero Hercules killing the many-headed monster after a gruesome fight ( see pages 12-14 ). But, in 1963, movie director Don Chaffey produced a fantasy film that had Jason battling the dreaded monster ( pictured here ) in Colchis on the Black Sea so that he could re-capture a Golden Fleece hung on a tree guarded by the Hydra.

Consulting Editors

DIG would like to thank Elizabeth Barber (professor of archeaology and linguistics, Occidental College), John Broadwater (manager of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA), Jeannine Davis-Kimball (archaeologist and founder of the American Eurasian Research Institute, John R Hale (professor of archaeology, University of Louisville, Kentucky), Angela Murock Hussein (archaeologist and visiting lecturer at Brandeis University), Jeffrey Johnston (historian, NOAA), Adrienne Mayor (author), Margarete Pruch (archaeologist and teacher of Chinese and Chinese history at Hansenberg International School, Geisenheim, Germany), and Orin Shane (archaeologist and museum management consultant) for their invaluable help with the issue.