Notes

Native American Artifacts

You have probably studied Native Americans at some point in your education. What do you know about the Native Americans who lived in the region that is now your state?
Native Americans didn’t have the luxuries of modern culture that you may be accustomed to. Many Americans today purchase items like food, clothing, dishes, and silverware.
Native Americans grew their own fruits and vegetables, and they hunted for meat. Native Americans built their own homes and made their own weapons, clothing, pottery, and anything else they needed. These items that the Native Americans made and used for everyday life are called artifacts. An artifact is any object made by human beings from past cultures. Artifacts include such things as pottery, tools, baskets, tombs, and sculptures. Native American artifacts can be found all over the United States.


How Are Artifacts Found?
Have you ever found an artifact? People who search for and study artifacts are called archaeologists. Searching for artifacts is similar to treasure hunting. Archaeologists dig in the dirt very carefully until they find something. Of course, there are many devices and techniques that help archaeologists find, remove, and study artifacts.
One challenge faced by archaeologists is locating the right places for their search. It would be very time consuming to dig up an entire area. Instead, archaeologists find clues to make sure the site chosen will contain artifacts left by a specific group of people. If a site was once home to a literate society, the archaeologist can consult written records for clues. The archaeologist can also survey the surface of the area for exposed artifacts. If a site provides new and important information for interpreting the past, archaeologists excavate further to recover artifacts. Then they report their findings to other scholars.