In this fun archaeology class for kids, students explore the ancient worlds of Egypt and Mesopotamia while learning how archaeologists uncover the past. They discover pyramids, ziggurats, and ancient writing, and practice methods like excavation, artifact analysis, and map reading. Hands-on activities — such as piecing together “artifacts” and recording finds — help them solve historical puzzles. The class fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and appreciation for how these early civilizations shaped the world we know today. Heidi Fessler is an archaeologist and senior lecturer at Loyola Marymount University. She holds a PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures from UCLA with a concentration in Archaeology. She is also a staff member on the Khirbet Al-Mukhayyat Archaeological Project in Jordan.