Object Based Learning – Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs

Object based learning is designed to heighten student engagement in the study of History through the study of artefacts and material culture. Artefacts from past societies bring that world to life, stimulating student imagination and critical thinking in a way that cannot be achieved by two dimensional and digital recreations.

On Friday 1 March Year 10 History Elective students engaged with the international blockbuster travelling exhibition ‘Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs’ at the Australian Museum. This museum study was linked to an assessment task. Students were encouraged to work collaboratively to critically analyse sources with a consideration of the provenance of the sources and examine the purpose of the artefacts and what they highlight about Ancient Egyptian society. Students found this Museum Site Study fascinating and were amazed to be viewing objects that were over 4000 years old.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Student Reflection

Having the opportunity to visit the Ramses II The Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition was very exciting; we have been learning about the importance of artefacts in constructing history in class, and observing these Ancient Egyptian artefacts was a rare and rich experience. We learned about the prosperity that occurred in Egypt during Ramses’ reign, as well as what day-to-day life was like. I found it interesting to compare Ancient Egyptian society to that of Ancient Greece, which we studied last year, and as it turns out there are several differences I didn’t expect to find.

Calliope Stewart
Year 10