How Children Think About the Deep Past: A Museum-Based Inquiry at the Bursa Archaeology Museum

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the inferences made by fifth-grade students about prehistoric periods following a museum visit conducted at the Bursa Archaeology Museum. The research was designed as a qualitative study using a holistic single-case design. The study group consisted of 30 fifth-grade students. Data were collected through open-ended forms administered before and after the museum visit and analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicate that students developed inferences about the lifestyles, cultural characteristics, and production practices of prehistoric societies based on archaeological materials. Students’ comparisons between the past and the present, particularly through kitchen utensils, weapons, toys, and burial practices, suggest an improved understanding of historical change and continuity. In addition, the museum experience was found to support students’ historical empathy and cultural heritage awareness. Overall, the study demonstrates that archaeology museums provide an effective out-of-school learning environment for social studies education.