Show:
True/False
Scientific Method
Vocabulary
Ancient Life in Minnesota
100

Archaeologists study artifacts.

True

100

Step 1

Ask a question.

100

Archaeologist

A scientist who studies past human life and activities by examining physical evidence such as tools, fire pits, and ruins from dwellings. 

100

Name 3 animals that were hunted in ancient Minnesota. 

Mammoths, mastodons, rabbits, deer, turtles, bears, elk, beavers, fish, turtles, birds, bison.

200

Carvings made into wood are called petroglyphs. 

False. 

200

Step 5

Reach a conclusion

200

Perspective

The way a person sees and understands the world. 

200

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. 

300

Elders are respected in their communities. 

True

300

Step 2

State a hypothesis.

300

Elder

An older member of a community who is respected for his or her knowledge and wisdom. 

300

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. 

400

Burial mounds made by early Minnesotans were sometimes animal-shaped. 

True.

400

Step 4

Record the findings.

400

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. 

400

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.  

500

Glaciers did not extend beyond what is now northern Minnesota.

False. 

500

Step 3

Perform an experiment.

500

Artifact

Any object made, used, or altered by humans.

500

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.