Archaeogaming Education
SASA's Archaeogaming Education Program is
supported by grants from these organizations:
WHAT IS ARCHAEOGAMING?
Archaeogaming is a new field that integrates the methods of archaeological discovery with the environment of video games, using interactive and collaborative play to learn and to teach about the past. The unique and appealing nature of our program provides free Open Educational Resources as a tool for educators, that create an engaged, active learning experience for students.
ARCHAEOGAMING
FOR THE
CLASSROOM
SASA's Archaeogaming Education Program creates modules for classroom use that utilize the rich worlds of commercial video games with historical settings to help educators engage students in teaching about the ancient world.
Our free Archaeogaming Educational Modules (AEM), produced in conjunction with educators and scholars, cover a wide range of cultures and themes across the ancient past. Each modules supports one lesson and consists of a custom video that emphasizes video game footage and supporting materials.
Currently available are six modules targeted at middle school education and another two will be completed by the end of 2024. These modules have already been used to great effect in classrooms in New Jersey, across the USA, and around the world.
In Fall 2024, our team begins work on the two-year project granted by the National Endowment for the Humanities to create two modules by completely revising two of our current modules for the undergraduate setting. These will be piloted in classrooms and are scheduled to be publicly available in Spring 2026.
Stay tuned for synchronous and asynchronous instructional webinars coming in Fall 2024.
Meet Our Team
& Advisory Board
Learn About The
Available Modules
Do you teach undergraduate courses in history, art history, or ancient studies? Click here to share your thoughts on our Archaeogaming Education Program.
Module Goals
To create dynamic educational modules that utilize video game content to engage students in classrooms and help them explore the ancient world in original and memorable ways.
2
To lift the burden on underfunded schools and teachers by providing cohesive lesson packs and materials which are easily adaptable and ready to use in the classroom.
3
To attract and support teachers’ implementation of innovative technology in their classrooms.
1
What's in an Archaeogaming Educational Module Package?
10 minute Archaeogaming Video
Supplemental background and classroom material for teachers
Worksheets and Activity sheets for students
An accompanying PowerPoint
Evaluation and Feedback sheets for both students and teachers
Modules are currently being produced for middle school grades. SASA intends to expand the scope of this project in the future by adapting our lessons for middle school, high school, and undergraduate levels.
Are you an archaeogamer? Do you hold / are working towards a PhD? Then we need your help! These modules can only be created with the help of academic experts and field specialists. If you would like to join, please fill out this Initial Interest Form and contact Paige Brevick at pbrevick@saveancientstudies.org.
Are You Interested?
It is Free!
If you are interested in signing up for the program and using our modules, please fill out the Educators Signup Form linked here and below. The materials will then be shared with you free of charge!
MODULE SPECIFICS
Introduction to Ancient Pottery: the Material World of Ancient Greece
Games used: Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey by Ubisoft
Created in collaboration with Dr. Shannon Martino
This AEM examines the process of pottery production in fifth century BCE Athens.
Using the game Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, by Ubisoft, the archaeogaming video will explain how vessels were produced, outlining the processes of:
● Levigation
● Wedging
● Forming and shaping (via a potter’s wheel)
● Decoration
● 3-stage firing
● Recycling
The video emphasizes the vessels’ importance as remnants of material culture and what they can tell modern-day historians about Ancient Greek society. It also explains the technological process of vessel production and the chemical reactions involved
when firing. Key historical aspects are highlighted throughout the module.
This module is designed to serve as a stand-alone introduction to Ancient Greek material culture. No prior knowledge of Ancient Greece is needed, and introductory materials will be provided in the pack. All materials are provided for successful use as a
teaching tool.
Building the First Cities: Urbanism in Egypt and Mesopotamia
Games used:
Nebuchadnezzar by Nepos Games Immortal Cities: Children of the Nile by Tilted Mill Entertainment Sumerians by Decumanus Games
Pharaoh by Sierra Entertainment
Assassin’s Creed: Origins by Ubisoft
Created in collaboration with Dr. Brianna Jackson & Dr. Kate Minniti
This AEM examines the rise of the world’s first cities in the River Valley Civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Using the games Nebuchadnezzar (Nepos Games), Immortal
Cities: Children of the Nile (Tilted Mill Entertainment), Sumerians (Decumanus Games),
Pharaoh (Sierra Entertainment), and Assassin’s Creed: Origins (Ubisoft), the archaeogaming video outlines the environmental, social, and political processes underpinning early urban development:
● The river as a central resource
● Early agriculture and animal husbandry
● Development of industry
● Social stratification
● Development of writing
Students will learn the interconnected nature of these components; and how early cities resulting from this development influenced later societies and civilizations. Significant
civilizations such as Egypt and Mesopotamia are included.
This module is designed to serve as a stand-alone introduction to Mesopotamian and Egyptian urbanism. No prior knowledge of Mesopotamia or Egypt is needed, and
introductory materials will be provided in this pack. All materials are provided for successful use as a teaching tool.
All Roads Lead to Rome: Making and Maintaining the Roman Empire
Games Used:
Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla by Ubisoft
Imperator: Rome by Paradox Interactive Total War: Rome II by Creative Assembly
Created in collaboration with Alexander Vandewalle
This AEM explores the design, construction, and history of the Roman Empire, with a focus on the physical history such as the famous Roman roads, aqueducts, and forts.
Through the games Assassin’s Creed Origins, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Imperator: Rome, and Total War: Rome II, the AEM for educators shares insight into how the Roman empire was built– brick by brick.
These include:
● Road building
● Social organization
● Vital resources and how they’re obtained
● Innovation in construction
● Roman Mythology
The video provides an overview of Roman history and offers opportunities to discuss the impact of what infrastructure plays in society. By teaching the history of the Roman
Empire, students will gain an understanding on the goal of infrastructure as mentioned in other pieces of history.
This module is designed to serve as a stand-alone introduction to Ancient Roman culture and history. No prior knowledge is needed and introductory materials will be included in this pack. All materials are provided for successful use as a teaching tool.
Introduction to Medieval Ireland
Games Used: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla by Ubisoft and Crusader Kings III by Paradox
Development Studio.
Created in collaboration with Emmet Taylor
This AEM provides a general introduction to the social and political structures of Medieval Ireland. The included video learning module for educators will introduce concepts of:
● Kingship
● Religion and archaeology
● Cities and intermingling of people within Medieval Ireland
Three case studies are included for specific lessons:
● The Hill of Tara
● The Ruins of Newgrange
● The City of Dublin
Through this AEM, students will be able to recognize key aspects of medieval Irish society and gain an understanding of how countries, societies and even buildings shift and change over time.
This module is designed to serve as an introduction to Medieval Ireland. No prior knowledge of Medieval Ireland is needed, and introductory materials will be included in this pack. All materials are provided for successful use as a teaching tool.
‘Raidin’ and Tradin’: The Viking Diaspora’
Games Used: Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla by Ubisoft
Created in collaboration with Adam Bierstedt.
This AEM explores the culture and traditions of early Viking communities from their homeland in Scandinavia, to their wide-spanning settlements across the British Isles, Russia, and beyond.
Through the game Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, by Ubisoft, this
AEM shares insight into the diverse Viking culture that shaped much of early Western history.
These include:
● Social organization and diasporic communities
● Early Viking trade routes
● The barter system
● Norse mythology
● Innovation in seafaring
The video provides an overview of Viking culture and offers opportunities to discuss the global impact of early seafaring and bartering. By being informed on the above topics, students will have a baseline understanding of early trading.
This module is designed to serve as a stand-alone introduction to Viking culture. No prior knowledge is needed and introductory materials will be included in this pack. All materials are provided for successful use as a teaching tool.
Medieval Medicine
Games Used: Crusader Kings made by Paradox Interactive, Assassins’ Creed: Valhalla
made by Ubisoft, and Kingdom Com: Deliverance made by Warhorse Studios.
Created in collaboration with Dr. Fabrizio Conti
This AEM will examine illnesses in Medieval Europe, how they were treated, what people of the time believed about disease and medicine, and how medicinal knowledge spread. The video will outline the evolution of medicine, different diseases and
treatments, the study of medicine, and the societal response to the sick.
These include:
● The work of Galen, a Greek physician.
● The Black Plague, herbal and religious remedies, and social response.
● The University at the center of early “modern medicine.”
● Knowledge transmission between Europe and Western Asia.
This video reviews the evolution of medicine in Europe, drawing from remedies in ancient Rome, the Middle East, and all the way up to the Black Plague in England. As such, this module is designed to serve as an introduction to Medieval Medicine in Europe. No prior knowledge of Medieval Europe is needed, and introductory materials will be provided. All materials are provided for successful use as a teaching tool.
This module is designed to serve as an introduction to Medieval Medicine in Europe. No prior knowledge of Medieval Europe is needed, and introductory materials will be provided. All materials are provided for successful use as a
teaching tool.