Recreating Artifacts
Practice: Get ready for some activities.
Activities are designed to be parent- or teacher-supervised.
Activity 1
Here is a list of the materials and supplies you will need.
- Clay or play-dough – You can look online for homemade play-dough recipe, if needed.
- Charcoal
- Pastels or sidewalk chalk
- String
- Beads
Step One
Research artifacts online that archeologists have found from the Indigenous People of America. Each child will choose one artifact they would like to recreate. For example, bowls, arrowheads, writing preserved on rocks, jewelry, etc.
Step Two
Children will use materials provided to recreate artifacts from history and then share about their creations and the history behind the artifact.
Step Three
Make sure children know that Indigenous People made bowls, arrowheads, and other artifacts from sturdy materials like rock, flint, and other materials that stand the test of time (not play-dough).
Step Four
When the students share their artifacts, they must follow these criteria:
- Children will show their recreations
- Tell which tribe archeologists believe produced these artifacts (Anasazi, Kiowa, Mound builder, etc.)
- Tell what the artifact was used for.
- Tell how they were resourceful and intelligent to use the things in their environment to help their families thrive in their environment.
- Examples: written art on walls in caves recorded events so people could learn from mistakes or not repeat history, bowls helped create food for families to help everyone grow and thrive, etc.
Activity 2
Watch the video and pay attention to the materials and supplies you will need.