Year 7 History
History Mysteries
INTRODUCTION
This page has been created to help you with your inquiry task about an history mystery from the ancient past (between 60,000 BCE – c.650CE) that has challenged historians or archaeologists.
WHAT IS A HISTORY MYSTERY?
There are many historical mysteries that have kept historians and archeologists puzzled. In this task you will investigate one historical mystery to learn how historians and archeologist try to solve these mysteries.
A number of these ancient historical mysteries are listed below.
Your first step is to explore some of the research guides below and print resources available to help you select your topic.
Note: Each topic has an introductory video that you can watch to help you work out what you are interested in.
HISTORY MYSTERY TOPICS
The Crystal Skulls
Are the crystal skulls human artefacts or natural wonders? Do they have special powers or are they fakes?
Moai / Easter Island
The Easter Island statues – How or why were they moved into position?
What caused the people of Rhodes to build this massive statue? How did they build it and why does it no longer exist?
Death of Tutankhamen
Which was the most likely reason for his death at such a young age?
The destruction of city of Troy
Was there really a Trojan horse?
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Did this wonder of the ancient world really exist?
Nazca Lines
How did they make them? Why were they created?
Otzi the Iceman
How did Ötzi die? What do his remains reveal about the past?
Stonehenge
What is it? What was the true purpose of these standing stones?
(Atlantis*)
Bradshaw Cave Paintings
What are the origins of these paintings? What do they reveal about the ancient civilisation?
Library of Alexandria
Were the treasures of the largest and most important library in the ancient world really lost in a massive inferno?
Peat Bog Bodies
How have these ‘natural mummies’ been so well preserved? Were they human sacrifices of something else entirely?
(The Mycenaeans*)
Why did this ancient Bronze Age culture disappear?
(Your own topic)
* Note: There is no research guide for this topic at present
1. Check if there is a guide for your mystery from the lists above
A reseach guide gives you access to sources of information curated by your Teacher Librarian to help you quickly locate and select a variety of print and digital resources to support your learning. These resources have all been checked to suit your topics.
2. Search the Library online catalogue
If there isn’t a research guide for your topic, or if you need to find other information. The next step is to use your search terms/ keywords to search the Library Online Catalogue.
You will be able to find print books, ebooks, websites, videos and other kinds of resources selected especially by your Teacher Librarians.
Remember to use a range of keywords/ search terms. TOP TIP: Use the “All fields’ search.
3. Try searching the various eResources available via the Library website. Your MLC Library subscribes to many online databases to provide you with information sources you can’t access on the free Internet. Encyclopedia articles, videos, ebooks, newspapers, magazine and journal articles will be available.
4. Search the free Internet (if you still haven’t found what you need). Remember to critically evaluate information on the internet. We suggest using the CRAAP test and/or the SIFT method.
Note: If you skip the other steps above, you will only have access to sources that are freely available on the internet. Rememer, the Library provides you with information beyond what is freely available.
“Referencing is the system you use … to acknowledge other people’s ideas or research …”
(University of Southern Queensland, n.d.)
A set of instructions that tell you in what order to put the information.
Some other words you might come across:
- Bibliography
- Cite
- Citation
- Attribution
Correct format
Incorrect format
Why do we reference (and include a bibliography with our research)?
- For academic honesty and ethical behaviour
- To give your work credibility
- To allow people to follow up your sources
- To avoid plagiarism and follow the law
The Copyright Act states that creators have the moral right to be attributed (or credited) for their work.
(Australian Copyright Council, 2019)
MLC Assessment Policy
What referencing system does MLC use?
- APA – 7
- Author date system
- 7th Edition
- Basic format:
Author/creator. (Date). Title. Where it is from, i.e. publisher, URL
- List all references in alphabetical order in one list
Where can I get help with my referencing?
- MLC Referencing Guide (APA Referencing 7th Ed – Made easy)
This can be downloaded and stored on your device - You Teacher or Teacher Librarian
- Use the Online Catalogue and databases to help you gather the information you need
- Word has an inbuilt referencing tool. Click HERE to find out more.
- Online Reference Generator
- Citefast – set up a free account using your MLC email address.
Note: Make sure to verify information Citefast provides for your source of information. Edit details where necessary. Double check the MLC Referencing Guide when using Citefast to make sure you are referencing correctly.
Use the following resources to help you learn how to prepare and give an effective presentation.
Tips for creating and delivering an effective presentation
Use Presenter View in PowerPoint
Find out more about Presenter View from the video below.