Sydney Technical High School

Manners Makyth Man

Telephone02 8566 2600

Emailsydneytech-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Ancient history

In the Preliminary Course, students of Ancient History have the opportunity to study the treatment and display of human remains, marine archaeology, the case study of Masada, Tutankhamun’s Tomb, and the power and image of Augustus. In the following HSC Course, students study Pompeii and Herculaneum, the ancient society of Sparta, the historical period of the Julio-Claudians, and Julius Caesar.

Students will also develop and refine their skills of writing, presenting, critical thinking and analysis. Ancient History is a fascinating subject that draws on many fields such as archaeology, anthropology, DNA analysis, forensic science and radio-carbon dating to unlock the mysteries of the past. Students also examine problematic knowledge when debating topics such as the ethics of displaying human remains, ‘who owns the past?’ and the reconstruction of ancient sites. Students will also engage with different interpretations of evidence and come to their own conclusions based on their analysis of archaeological and written sources. In addition, students will have the opportunity to engage in 'hands on' experiences such as mummifying a rat, handling ancient artefacts at the Museum of Ancient Cultures and attending excursions to Italy and Greece to gain a first-hand experience of the ancient sites that they study in the course. Our history faculty also has close ties with Dr Estelle Lazer, the leading Australian archaeologist in Pompeii. Estelle has visited the school to lecture Ancient History students on key syllabus points in the HSC Core: Cities of Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum.