Simulated archaeological excavations are effective teaching tools across educational levels, grounded in constructivist pedagogy — the principle that learners build knowledge actively through experience. This hands-on approach positions students as active knowledge-makers, making simulated excavations one of archaeology education's most pedagogically coherent tools.

For primary and secondary students, simulations transform abstract historical content into meaningful inquiry, prompting them to ask how we know about the past and what evidence can tell us. At university level, experiential approaches build both engagement and practical competence in research design, recording, and interpretation. Crucially, simulated environments allow students to practise and refine these skills without placing real-world cultural heritage at risk.

This presentation discusses frameworks for using simulated excavations across an Australian context, examining examples from small-scale desktop activities to life-sized simulations designed to train future professionals.

About the presenters:

• Dr Georgia Stannard is a Lecturer in the Department of Archaeology and History at La Trobe University, Melbourne. Georgia’s research is focussed on the themes of heritage education, public archaeology and the archaeology of Australia’s cold climates. Georgia is currently serving as the Co-Chair of the Australian National Committee for Archaeology Teaching and Learning.

• Georgia Williams is an archaeologist based in Brisbane whose research focusses on ways to integrate archaeological knowledge and theory into classrooms through the Australian Curriculum. Georgia teaches history and English at Bremer State High School while serving as the Co-Chair of the Australian National Committee for Archaeology Teaching and Learning.

Presented by the Australian National Committee for Archaeology Teaching and Learning (ANCATL), as part of the National Archaeology Week webinar series. Find the series details here.

When: 4pm AEST, Friday 22 May 2026

Where: Online, via zoom

Registration will open soon!