Harnessing students’ curiosity and channelling their ability to learn effectively is nowhere more important than in teaching theoretical topics; those that are too often caricatured as disconnected from the real world of archaeological experience. This paper outlines active learning strategies to increase the effectiveness of teaching archaeological theory and method, a competent understanding of which is essential to well conducted professional practice. Through a range of inter- active instructional strategies based around the theme of ‘becoming’ a professional archaeologist, including archaeological action figures, trading cards and a character-based role play, we aim to make students aware of the limited and provisional nature of archaeological knowledge, facilitate different styles of learning, and provide some sense of the panorama that is archaeology. As students have more ‘fun’ they become more motivated, engage more effectively with the material and increase their learning.

Keywords: archaeology, active learning, fun, theory