Historic Archaeology: Beneath Kentucky’s Fields and Streets

Educational Resources
The Kentucky Archaeological Survey has created several lesson plans to enhance classroom use of this documentary for Kentucky Educational Television (KET) and its service to PBS Learning Media. KET/PBS Learning Media:

Historic Archaeology: Beneath Kentucky’s Fields and Streets

Social Studies Arts Toolkit: Produced by the Kentucky Heritage Council and the Kentucky Archaeological Survey, the Historic Archaeology resource explores new scientific discoveries being made at dozens of historic sites across Kentucky. Interviews with archaeologists are combined with archival images, artifacts, and 3-D animation for a look into the lives of farmers, slaves, soldiers, immigrants, and laborers during the 1800s. Click on the titles below for lesson plans (video clips, learning objects and support materials) now available on the KET/PBS Learning Media website.

Historic Archaeology at Ashland: Artifacts in a Privy

Dr. Kim McBride discusses the discovery and analysis of the artifacts archaeologists found in a privy during an archaeological survey at Ashland, the estate of politician, farmer, and horse breeder Henry Clay in Lexington, Kentucky. Filled with thousands of artifacts, the privy excavation was remarkable for the number and variety of ceramic vessels it produced: more than 900 in all.

Dr. Stephen McBride discusses how the analysis of food remains and personal items provide insight into the lives of the soldiers and the families of the black enlistees who trained during the Civil War at Camp Nelson in Jessamine County, Kentucky. The site was an important Union supply depot, training center for U.S. Colored Troops, and refugee camp for families of African-American enlistees. Today the site is a Civil War Heritage Park. Archaeological research has uncovered artifacts left by the soldiers and their families. Sensitive: This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.

This documentary project features four integrated components: “Creelsboro and the Cumberland: A Living History,” a one-hour public television documentary distributed by Kentucky Educational Television (KET) that can be viewed here; a companion website with information, images, and short videos about the original paintings and music composed for the documentary; educational materials linked to the documentary and the paintings; and a Digital Media Archive that preserves all of the archival materials used in the project.

Davis Bottom is a residential community located in a valley west of downtown Lexington. Established in the 1860s, Davis Bottom has served as a “portal” community for several generations of African American, European and Appalachian families who moved to Lexington in search of jobs, education, and a better quality of life. Significant portions of the community are being impacted by the construction of a new roadway – the Newtown Pike Extension. The Davis Bottom History Preservation Project is a collaborate effort among scholars, educators and residents to document and preserve the history of this tight-knit, working-class neighborhood.

This educational project features four integrated components: 1) “Davis Bottom: Rare History, Valuable Lives,” a one-hour documentary distributed by Kentucky Educational Television (KET); 2) “Davis Bottom: Living Memories,” an oral history DVD with resident interviews; 3), a companion website with information, images and educational materials; and, 4) a Digital Media Archive that preserves all of the archival materials used in the project.