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The prehistoric
Native Americans left us a diary of their live, carved in stones
unburied in the sands of Nevada. Through visits to tow of Nevada's
best sites, "Desert Mirage: Traces of Nevada's Prehistoric
Past" focuses on the artifacts from years past left by Native
Americans. The Grimes Point petroglyphs and Hidden Cave uncover
information about the lives and the land of these people in long
ago Nevada.
Students will:
- Define
culture.
- Identify
elements of culture.
- Understand
how archaeologists learn about past cultures.
- Describe
the difference in Nevada's
geography today and 3500 years ago.
- Understand
the importance of preserving archaeological sites and evidence
for future generations.
- Learn about
the prehistoric Native Americans of northern Nevada.
As a class,
discuss the term "culture." Discussion questions:
- What
does culture include?
- The Nevada
Experience.
- How do
we learn about past cultures?
- How doe
we learn about ancient cultures where there is no written
language?
- What
types of evidence do you think would survive?
- Who looks
for this evidence?
- Through
this discussion, students should try to define some of their
vocabulary terms.
Students
will create their own archaeological site, using a shoebox filled
with at least five items that archaeologists will be able to
uncover in 100 years.
Along with
the artifact box students should write an essay (100 words or
more) explaining why they chose each item and how well they
think the item will survive through the next millennium.
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Create your own cache pit and artifacts like those found
at Hidden Cave. Catalogue each with a description of the
item, place found, date of origin; and possible use.
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Write
a short story from the perspective of a prehistoric Native
American that uses Hidden Cave.
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Draw
a picture showing what you think the area around Hidden
Cave looked like during the time the prehistoric Native
Americans used it to store their goods
Introduce
the video and read the video description. Ask the following:
"What do you know about the cultures that lived in early
Nevada?" Discuss the tribes. (Students
may know some local tribe names or they may have no background
knowledge.)
Discussion
questions:
- How do
you think they lived?
- What
type of artifacts do you think they left behind?
The first
portion of video provides an overview of the Native Americans
that lived in northern Nevada and looks at some of the evidence
they left behind that archeologists have found.
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