Ruins in the Dunes!

Flagler College students took to the beach for the second year in a row to build world famous monuments out of sand. Eric Giles' archaeology class went at it all morning to re-create Serpent Mound, East Island's Moai monument, Athenian Acropolis, Alexandrian Amphitheater, and a Mayan temple. After constructing their masterpieces, students spoke about the cultures that created them.

This is always a fun event- bringing students out in the "field," watching the interested beach goers approach to see what's going on, and seeing other kids on the beach testing the limits of their castle skills!

I was really impressed by the students understanding of landscape, seeing how people interacted with and created their environment. The Moai group not only built one of the famous Easter Island heads, they did the entire island! They showed where the stones were quarried, how the giant heads were transported to their current positions, and how the formations changed over time. For an anthropologist, you can't get any better than how cultures change over time!

Think you can do better? Come join us next year! Just remember to bring your sun block! Eric's bright red feet were a glowing reminder of the fun (and learning!) that went on that day.

For more pictures see our new "Ruins in the Dunes" gallery on our website.