Excavate History uses archaeology to look at the arrival of the Spanish colonists to San Francisco and the interactions between them and the Ohlone people. Through a series of hands-on activities, students investigate how the Ohlone people and Spanish colonists changed the natural and cultural landscape of the area. In small groups, students rotate through three stations:
- Making Adobe Bricks – Students learn how Spanish colonists built their houses.
- Interpret El Presidio – Students examine an historic map and analyze archaeological assemblages found in the Presidio to make interpretations about the past.
- Presidio Archaeology Lab Tour –Students get a sneak peek inside a working archaeology lab and get to examine real Spanish and Ohlone artifacts uncovered at the Presidio.
Because our programs are provided at no cost, we prioritize applications from high needs schools using data from
CALPADS.
