Artefact Mystery Bags: Hands‑On Historical Inquiry (Years 3–6 History)

Introduction

Artefact Mystery Bags are a simple, engaging way to introduce students to historical inquiry. Using replica artefacts or printed images from Australian museum collections, students explore objects to infer who used them, when they were used, and what they reveal about daily life. This activity is ideal for Years 3–6 History and supports curiosity, observation and evidence‑based reasoning.

A snapshot of some artefacts available in the collection.

How to Use It in the Classroom

Teachers place artefacts or images in bags or envelopes and invite students to examine them closely. Students make inferences, justify their thinking with evidence, and compare interpretations with peers. Teachers can extend the activity by linking artefacts to broader historical contexts or using them as prompts for research. This hands‑on approach builds analytical skills and helps students understand how historians use objects to learn about the past.

Five practical tips, tricks and ideas for the classroom

• Use high‑quality images from Australian museums for authenticity
• Provide magnifying glasses to encourage close observation
• Use a “See, Think, Wonder” routine to scaffold thinking
• Have students write a short narrative from the artefact’s perspective
• Create a class museum display with student captions

Australian Curriculum Connections

• AC9HS3S02 – Examine sources to identify information about the past
• AC9HS4S02 – Interpret information from sources
• AC9HS5K02 – Continuity and change in daily life
• AC9HS5S02 – Identify different perspectives in sources
• AC9HS6S02 – Interpret information from a range of sources