Upcoming Themes for DIG

2009 - 2010 School Year

		Sep			How a Dig Works Dr. Dig receives many questions asking about what happens on a dig. In this issue, DIG has the answers - and you're sure to find them fascinating. We travel to Egypt, to the temple of Mut in the Great Temple complex of Karnak, where a team has been excavating for a few seasons. And what a story they have to tell - why stone is not always hard, how one digs under temple ruins, what photographers must capture and why, who's in charge, and what happens to the dig that is dug up! All this and more is just waiting for you! So, join us for this memorable encounter with the goddess Mut!
		Oct			Stonehenge Lots has been in the news this past year about Stonehenge - new finds, new theories, more burials. What are the facts? Who's doing the work? What do they really think? DIG hopped over to the Salisbury Plain just to bring you the answers to these questions. Our interviews with those on site were fascinating, as was seeing the remains of those who actually lived in the area at the time building was going on at Stonehenge - the Amebury archer and the Boscome bowman, just to name two. And, we'll visit some of Stonehenge's cousins - yes, Stonehenge is not the only such site in England.
		Nov/Dec			In the Kitchen - How People Cooked Like to eat? Even if "no" is your answer, you are sure to enjoy this issue. We'll be 'roasting the Sunday' joint down in Australian, figuring out just what traditions are Aborigine, which Chinese, and which European. And, there's lots more - like, just how did they bake bread in Egypt and what happened to the god who gave fire to humans so they could cook their food? Bring a flashlight, too, as we'll be walking inside a Chinese tomb to check out the cookbook "Recipes for Beautiful Food" that someone brought with them for the afterlife. These are just hints of the "ingredients" on shelf in this "market", just waiting for you to take off the "bottle tops."
		Jan			Saqqara - Egypt's City of the Dead We're off this month to Egypt's "City of the Dead." But, if you are thinking the pyramids at Giza, you'll be mistaken. Our destination is Saqqara - and you're sure to find it a site you'll want to learn more about, and one you will never forget. There are many royal tombs, some with incredible wall paintings and uncovered artifacts. There's also a huge animal cemetery, and you'll have a chance to meet some of the mummies up close and personal! Who's taking us on this tour? The EES - the Egypt Exploration Society. Its members have been there since the 1800s and have lots to "show and tell." Plus, you'll have a chance to meet its founder, Amelia Edwards, and the father of Egyptology, Flinders Petrie. We're quite excited about this issue and can't wait to share it all with you!
		Feb			Caesarea Maritima: A Roman City Where Power & Faith Merge Ever heard of Caesarea Maritima? Any idea where it might be or who lived there? If you answered "no" to all three questions, you're in for a great treat with this issue devoted to a proud city in present-day Israel that was once a Middle Eastern city ruled by the great Roman Empire. DIG is teaming up with archaeologists onsite to check out new findings about the magnificent man-made harbor that now lies underwater - and we'll get a peak by visiting the world's only underwater museum! In the lab, we'll check some crocodile results - did people really have this meat roasted for dinner? We'll also check the latest on the theory that a tsunami hit the area not once, but several times. By the time you're just halfway through this issue, you'll have Caesarea Maritima as a must-see on your list of places to visit!
		Mar			Hieroglyphs - the Writing on the Walls Ever wonder what all those signs and pictures say when you see wall paintings uncovered in ancient Egypt? Well, here's your chance to find out. And, we'll be visiting more than just tombs and temples. We'll also be checking out notes uncovered on "scrap paper." There are a few side trips included, as we hop over to Crete for one of the biggest mysteries yet in archaeology! Can't tell you now as that would ruin the suspense. Then, we'll take a quick spin back to visit with the Maya and Aztecs. They used glyphs as well. How can you tell the three apart? Join us and find out!
		Apr			Bees in the Ancient World Bzzz! Bzzz! Hw often do we hear that sound and begin flapping our hands to get the creature to move away? But, bees are critical to the environment and life itself. Join DIG as we make a sweep around the world checking out excavated finds in such places as Egypt, Greece, China, Israel, and Central America. You'll be surprised at just how versatile this buzzing creature has been-from producing honey and beeswax to being used by armies as weapons! We'll also fast forward to the present to check in on what's being done to reverse the dwindling bee population that threatens life as we know it! By the time you finish reading this issue, you'll want to welcome the bzzz' bzzz sound!
		May/June July/Aug.			Transportation - On the Move "Got wheels?"-an expression some people use to ask if another has a car or similar form of transportation. But take a moment to think about the wheel-what an incredible invention and one that is thousands of years old. How did people manage before or how those people who never heard of the wheel where they lived. And, what about donkey caravans-yes, donkey, not camel caravans? For some people, donkeys were much better, but you had to know your donkey! Then there are tomb finds everywhere with chariots, miniature and full-size boats. When people want to be on the move, no matter what the century, they sure found many ways to do so. Join DIG as we explore several of these ways. And, they may not be as old-fashioned as you think-perhaps you'll want to give a few a try! Dilophosaurus- Beyond Jurassic Park
					Ever watched the movie Jurassic Park? Then, perhaps you've wondered how accurate the dinosaur portrayals are. DIG certainly has. And, so, to answer our questions, we went to the University of California's Museum of Paleontology and the Los Angeles Museum of Paleontology and met with the experts. We even met with two "walking" dinos!What we learned is just amazing-and we can't wait to share it with you! A few hints: You've probably seen many shots of triceratops butting heads, but did they really do that? A new theory says otherwise! Jurassic Park's dinos certainly include a wide variety-but a closer look at the finds tells us that millennia separated some of them. As for extinction-not so fast! We'll learn that some still live! So, join us for a fact-filled, fun-filled trip to dinosaur world.

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Updated: 11/7/09 05:09 pm
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