Key Concepts:

 

An archeologist is like a detective who solves puzzles by using clues.

What special skills would an archeologist need?

What tools does an archaeologist use? How, why, and when would they be used?

Archaeology is a way to find out how people lived long ago.

Identify how levels and a grid of squares are used to chart artifact locations in sites.

Archaeologists sort and categorize dig-site materials.

Archaeologists identify artifacts.

 

Archaeological Background

 

In 1930-32 achaeological materials were located in the area.

In 1982 and 1983, Dr. Ernest Walker, Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Saskatchewan, completed a detailed assessment of the Wanuskewin area. During the course of these investigations, a total of 21 archaeological sites were identified including 19 pre-contact sites and 2 historic (recent) sites. The majority of these sites were undisturbed. Intensive research began in 1984 and continues today.

The archaeological findings at Wanuskewin are considered to be of international importance and certainly the research project established is one of the largest in Canada. The findings date back 8,000 years or more, making them older than the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Wanuskewin Heritage Park contains virtually every type of archaeological site common to the Northern Plains, all located within walking distance of each other.

The boulder alignment (medicine wheel), habitation sites, bison kills, tipi rings, and stone cairns all contribute to give a picture of what life was like in pre-contact times. The location of such rich and diverse archaeological resources in an area of natural beauty so close to a major urban centre is truly unique (from Wanuskewin Information Kit).

Plan for Self-guided Archaeology Session

 

Walk the Red Trail of Discovery to the creek valley overlook. Have students look at the valley topography then, as an archeologist, consider, "How does the wind and temperature differ on the prairie and in the valley? Where would they camp and why would they choose that location?"

 

Encourage students to use all their senses. For example: feel the wind and rocks, smell the sage, listen to the trembling aspens or maple seed wings. Look for signs of animals - game trails, tracks, droppings, nests, beaver stumpage and lodges.

Explore the dig site. Discover the black knot fungus living on the saskatoon and chokecherry bushes. Connect natural features with use by traditional Aboriginal people. For example, the berry bushes with bows and arrows, the sage with ceremony. Examine the buffalo hide stretcher and enter the tipi.

The following tour section may be completed after session three (see day plan).

Visit the Archaeology theatre. View "Sifting through Time".

Observe different levels and artifacts and discover secrets of the past.

Examine the archaeology wall-display cases. Feel your own jaw bone. Compare them with the bones in the display case.

Consider: if you were an archaeologist, where would you dig? What would you find? What would your findings tell us about the people who used them?

 

Related Curriculum

 

Life of Northern Plains Aboriginal families (social studies, language arts)

Making connections (math, science)

Sorting, categorizing (math,science)

Critical thinking (science, social studies)

Site Features

 

Walk Red Trail of Discovery to the inactive Thundercloud site (20 minutes) or walk the White Trail to the active Meewasin dig (60 minutes)

Archaeology Theatre 7 minute slide show: Sifting Through Time

Wall displays in exhibit area: bones, beads, bone shells, and animal remains, stone tools.

Before the Visit

Read Archaeologists Dig for Clues.

Discuss the Aboriginal idea that all things have life, then paint stick-figure pictographs on flat rocks.

Create a simulated archaeological dig. Use a sand box or fill rectangular tubs with sand and an array of pieces of a bone or pot shards. Include bottle caps, twist ties or other unwanted materials. Students should use brushes, trowels and sieves, mark the location of their finds, and re-assemble parts.

Cultural Note

Everything the Aboriginal people used came from Mother Earth and was returned to it. For example, clay pots were formed, fired, used, then broken and left when the people moved to another camp. Then, in time they returned back to the earth.

After the Visit

Form a pinch pot artifact from modeling clay or play dough. Imprint decorations by pressing in a feather, bone, rock, or twig.

Estimate the weight of Paskwan Moostoos (Cree) "prairie cow" by comparing the weight of a bison (1000 KG) with the total weight of a group of students.

Visit an animal park, farm or zoo to connect Wanuskewin animal remains found in the dig sites with the study of the wolf, bison or other animals.

Find out the Saskatchewan laws about digging up artifacts.