Investigating a Basin House

Examine historic photographs, artifacts, and maps of the Blue Knife Basin House located in northwestern Colorado. Students meet Clifford Duncan, a Ute tribal member, through reading a biography and oral histories. They then “uncover” a real archaeological site, classify artifacts, and infer how the geographic area of Colorado shaped the basin house. Explore the use of traditional basin house and wickiup architecture today. Includes text by and about a Ute tribal member Supports Common Core State Standards Incorporates authentic data for students to analyze “Wickiup and basin house sites can teach us a lot about how people lived in the past. Sites like the Blue Knife Basin House can tell us a lot about the lives of ancient people and how they made a living in a difficult environment. By preserving these sites and the artifacts found there, the story of the people who once lived in these shelters can be told. If artifacts or other evidence disappears, the story disappears along with them.” – Rand Greubel, Archaeologist “Great curriculum, easy to use. Love the professional development and support!” – Colorado Teacher Instructions for the Teacher: The teacher’s document is 30 pages, consisting of background information and four sections corresponding to the student notebook. It includes archaeologists’ interpretations of the Basin House site and details about the artifacts found. Quadrant maps from the archaeological site of the Blue Knife Site’s basin house are provided for students to study and use. Student Archaeological Notebook: The student notebook is 31 pages of articles and activities about the Blue Knife Site’s basin house. Mr. Clifford Duncan, a Ute Elder, guides students through the investigation. Through archaeology students discover artifacts left behind and how pollen analysis assists in the interpretation of artifacts and the lifeways of the sites residents.
Bonus! When you buy Investigating a Basin House, you will also receive the essential companion product: Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter.