Debating Ancient History: China

Facilitated

Dates

Tuesdays and Thursdays | 10am and 12:30pm

Tuesday 5 August 2025 - Thursday 19 February 2026

Primary/Secondary
Secondary
Curriculum
HASS

Curriculum

HASS

Year Level
Year 7
Duration
60 minutes
Cost

Facilitated Workshop | $280 per class of up to 32 students

Exhibition Entry | $12.50 per student

Adults are complimentary at a ratio of 1 adult to 6 students

In this hands-on workshop, students explore the role archaeologists play in unearthing the hidden secrets of China’s ancient history. 

Students learn about archaeologists, the methods of modern-day archaeology and its role in uncovering the secrets of China’s ancient past. They consider the challenges and ethical concerns surrounding excavating archaeological sites and artefacts.   

This facilitated program explores our new Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor exhibition as part of the workshop. The student exhibition ticket allows re-entry to the exhibition at a specified time.


Student Experience

Through inquiry-based learning and hands-on activities, students will: 

  • Explore the role of an archaeologist and their importance in learning about China’s ancient past
  • Identify the techniques and methods used in modern-day archaeology
  • Explore how artefacts and objects can tell us about the beliefs, practices and everyday life in ancient China
  • Discuss some of the ethical concerns around the excavation of Emperor Qin’s tomb 

HASS Skills and Knowledge Links 

This program links to the following strands of the Western Australian Curriculum: 

Skills

  • Questioning
  • Analysing
  • Communicating and Reflecting 

Understandings

Depth study 1: Investigating the ancient past  

  • How historians and archaeologists investigate history, including excavation and archival research (ACDSEH001)
  • The range of sources that can be used in a historical investigation, including archaeological and written sources (ACDSEH029)  

Depth study 2: Investigating one ancient society (China)  

  • The significant beliefs, values and practices of the ancient society, with a particular emphasis on one of the following areas: everyday life, warfare, or death and funerary customs (ACDSEH042)