Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Rome Reborn is, as its title implies, a digital representation of Rome on June 21, 320 AD. Currently, several views and videos are available. The clips look like a cross between a "Google Earth" fly-in and the backdrop for a video game. While they have the potential to give students a "you are there" vision of ancient Rome,

tag(s): latin (23), rome (37)

Learn about each Egyptian pyramid by following explorers through the excavations, and learn about the exciting history of pyramid discovery and uncovering! View detailed inside views of each site. Learn how to decipher hieroglyphics as you make your way through this fascinating site. Read about current digs and restoration efforts. Though the virtual exploration portions of the site require Quicktime (Flash), most of the site does not. There is plenty to learn here!

tag(s): archeology (28), egypt (56), pyramids (21)

Spend some time strolling through the public baths of Rome, find out how they were constructed, and try your hand at constructing an aqueduct for a Roman city. This imaginative, interactive site introduces visitors to the architecture, entertainment, art, and foods found in one of the ancient world's most popular social venues. There is a lot to learn from this site and plenty of images and diagrams to go with the text. However, there are a few interactives that require Flash.

tag(s): latin (23), water (102)

Take a virtual tour of the current Pompeii exhibit at the Field Museum of Chicago with this site that brings the cataclysmic eruption to life. The true gem of the site is an interactive timeline that details and animates the events of August 24, AD 79. But be sure to check out the photo gallery - which includes images of frescoes, artifacts, and plaster and epoxy resin casts of some of the victims (a bit gruesome).

tag(s): volcanoes (55)

This online tool lets you create a timeline of an individual's life using dates from 1000 AD to the present year. Enter the person's name and dates, add events (historic or personal) and their beginning/ending dates, and click the "generate" button.

tag(s): timelines (56)

Take a tour of the archaeological and architectural remains of Athens, Greece on this impressive site (created by a classical archaeologist at the Indiana University) that presents a photographic archive of the city's most historic venues. All images may be downloaded and used for school projects and presentations, provided that the terms outlined in the Creative Commons License (check out the link) are followed.

tag(s): greece (47), greek (47), greeks (46), states (124)

Take a virtual field trip though the pyramids, temples, and architecture of ancient Egypt. The most impressive feature of the site is a self-guided QuickTime tour through the Land of the Pharaohs that offers dozens of impressive 360 degree photos. Originally designed as a companion site to a NOVA program, the site could be the focus of a great computer lab activity for an ancient history unit.

tag(s): egypt (56), pyramids (21)

Explore how myths and legends have taken visual form in the works of artists with this online gallery of 26 masterpieces from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Apart from the art, students can learn about what a myth actually is, and read about multicultural mythological themes. Includes a glossary, bibliography, and teaching materials.

Who were the very first Americans? This site explores evidence found by archeologists, examines artifacts found throughout the United States, and involves visitors in interpreting Stone Age tools. Includes interactive activities and a downloadable teacher's guide. Though some of the features require Flash, there is so much to see and do on this site, it's worth a visit.

tag(s): archeology (28)

This informative site delves into the ancient tradition of the Olympic games and provides brief, but interesting essays on Olympic myths, games for women, and the history behind Olympic competition. There is also a new link all about the cultural heritage of Beijing.

tag(s): greece (47), greek (47), greeks (46), olympics (45), sports (82)

This virtual archaeological experience provides visitors with an up close and personal introduction to the Valley of the Kings. From the digs at Thebes, where students can zoom into the atlas and explore tombs by watching movies, to interactive diagrams and revealing thumbnail shots, the experience of revealing the secrets of an ancient culture is impressively simulated. Other features of the site include interactive maps that can be used to measure distance and elevation, printable tomb maps in PDF format, an exhaustive archaeological and image database, and a comprehensive timeline and glossary.

tag(s): egypt (56), pyramids (21)

Ancient history isn't always approachable, and this site offers great information on Greek mythology and the history and civilization of Rome in a context that both elementary teachers and secondary students will find interesting. If you teach Latin, "Salve!" - there are great resources here.

tag(s): greece (47), greek (47), greeks (46), latin (23), romans (52), rome (37)

A wonderful glimpse of life in Egypt from 1550-1200 BC. This site's ancient Egyptian resources examine each of the pharaohs, as well as provide information about daily life in Egypt. The interactive map and hieroglyph translator provide an interesting lens through which students can view life in this era. Like other PBS empire sites, this site has a listing of lesson plans for expanding on these resources.

tag(s): egypt (56), pyramids (21)

Part of the PBS Civilizations series, this site explores ancient Greece, complete with virtual tours of the acropolis and the Parthenon temple. In the Greeks Interactive section, students can view interactive maps and experiment with the Greek alphabet. There is also an educational resources section, complete with lesson plans for using the site.

tag(s): greece (47), greek (47), greeks (46)

Chicago's Adler Planetarium offers this interesting introduction to the way in which early cultures interpreted the heavens. There are dozens of examples drawn from as many ancient cultures, and all organized into themes that would have been essential to these civilizations. A set of lesson plans rounds out this intriguing unit.

tag(s): calendars (37), stars (71)

Learn about the discovery and mapping of Egyptian tombs in and around Thebes. Site includes pictures, maps, and historical context.

tag(s): egypt (56), pyramids (21)

There's lots of information here, most of it in the form of text. There are also maps, images, and the like. The site is particularly noteworthy for the depth of its content, which makes it a great starting point for on-line research.

tag(s): romans (52), rome (37)

Developed at Tufts University. This is a rich resource for the study of ancient Greece and its archaeological sites. Students can select regions or specific sites and investigate the archeological evidence found at those sites. Beautifully photographed and mapped, with a strong selection of related links.

tag(s): archeology (28), greece (47), greek (47), greeks (46), OER (43), romans (52)

National Geographic sites are fantastic. This particular one recreates an expedition in the Andes. Beautiful pictures, maps, and journals, as well as a discussion of prehistory and anthropology.

tag(s): anthropology (10), south america (47)