True/False
Archaeologists study artifacts.
True
Step 1
Ask a question.
Archaeologist
A scientist who studies past human life and activities by examining physical evidence such as tools, fire pits, and ruins from dwellings.
Name 3 animals that were hunted in ancient Minnesota.
Mammoths, mastodons, rabbits, deer, turtles, bears, elk, beavers, fish, turtles, birds, bison.
Carvings made into wood are called petroglyphs.
False.
Step 5
Reach a conclusion
Perspective
The way a person sees and understands the world.
How did Minnesota's climate change over time? (From 10,000 BC to 1,300 AD)
The climate was much colder and drier than it is today.
Climate became warmer and drier.
Climate settled into patterns similar to today--cold winters and short warm seasons.
Elders are respected in their communities.
True
Step 2
State a hypothesis.
Elder
An older member of a community who is respected for his or her knowledge and wisdom.
Name 3 examples of artifacts that archaeologists have uncovered from ancient Minnesota.
Human remains, animal bones, stone tools, copper pieces, clam shells, bone tools, beaver tooth, red ocher/pigment, burial mounds, jewelry, farming tools, pottery, food storage pits.
Burial mounds made by early Minnesotans were sometimes animal-shaped.
True.
Step 4
Record the findings.
Oral History
The purposeful retelling of stories about the past events and legends of a group in order to teach about that group's culture.
How did ancient Minnesotans' diets change over time? (From 10,000 BC to 1,300 AD)
When the climate was cold and dry, they lived off of large animals that they hunted. As the climate grew warmer and wetter, their diets became more varied as they could farm and eat plants in addition to hunting.
Glaciers did not extend beyond what is now northern Minnesota.
False.
Step 3
Perform an experiment.
Artifact
Any object made, used, or altered by humans.
What do burial mounds tell us about ancient Minnesotan peoples?
They believe in some sort of afterlife, they have a religious belief system, they valued human life.