![Page 1: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterASchool-ProgramsGuideforEducators
Thisprogramismadepossiblethroughthegeneroussupportofthe
ClaudeWorthingtonBenedumFoundation.
![Page 2: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Page1of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
Thisprojectismadepossiblethroughthegeneroussupportofthe
ClaudeWorthingtonBenedumFoundation.
“Fromitsinception,theMeadowcroft/CrossCreekprojectwasamulti-disciplinaryundertaking.Thecentralgoalorthemewas,“thesystematicacquisition,analysisandintegrationofalldatabearingonthearchaeology,history,paleoecology,geology,geomorphology,pedology,hydrology,climatologyandfloralandfaunalsuccessionoftheentireCrossCreekdrainage.Moreover,thisdatagathering,analysis,andinterpretationwastobeexecutedwithasgreatadegreeofprecisionandemployingthemostsophisticatedmethodologiesofwhichanyoftheprojectstaffwerecognizant.Additionally,andtouscritically,thisresearchwascarriedoutvirtuallywithouttemporalorfiscalconstraints.Inshort,theprojectwasdesignedtoepitomizeso-called‘stateoftheart’datagatheringandanalyticalmethodologiesandprocedures.”
From“AnIntroductiontotheMeadowcroft/CrossCreekArchaeologicalProject1973-1982”inMeadowcroft:CollectedPapers
![Page 3: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Page2of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
Contents......................................................................................................................................................................1
AboutMeadowcroftRockshelterandHistoricVillage.................................................................................3
AboutFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelter.................................................................4
IntersectionofMajorThemesandDisciplinesinFirstPeoplesProgramming.............................................5
FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterOn-SiteProgram.................................................7
IntendedOutcomesofThematicOn-SiteExploration.............................................................................8
PreparingforanOn-SiteFirstPeoplesFieldTrip...................................................................................11
On-siteLogistics.....................................................................................................................................13
ChaperoneGuidetoMeadowcroftRockshelter.................................................................................15
FirstPeoplesVirtualSchoolPrograms........................................................................................................17
Videoconferencing.................................................................................................................................17
VideoconferenceThemesandOutcomes..........................................................................................17
PreparingforVideoconferencingFirstPeoplesLearningExperiences...............................................19
VirtualFieldTripsofMeadowcroftRockshelter.....................................................................................21
SignificanceofMeadowcroftRockshelter..................................................................................................22
GeologyInquiryatMeadowcroftRockshelter......................................................................................24
GeographyandEcologyoftheCrossCreekWatershed.........................................................................25
ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelter.............................................................................................27
CulturalSignificanceofMeadowcroftRockshelter................................................................................29
![Page 4: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Page3of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
AboutMeadowcroftRockshelterandHistoricVillageMeadowcroftRockshelterandHistoricVillage,whichoperatesinassociationwiththeSenatorJohn
HeinzHistoryCenter,isaNationalHistoricLandmarklocatedon275acresinAvella,PA.Thesiteisanoutdoorliving-historymuseumthatusesacombinationofreconstructedhistoricstructures,traditionalmuseumexhibits,andoutdoorinterpretiveareastotellthestoryaboutlifeinWesternPennsylvaniaduringthepast16,000years.
InterpretiveareasatMeadowcroftincludetheMeadowcroftRockshelter,oneoftheoldestdocumented
sitesofhumanhabitationinNorthAmerica;arecreated19thcenturyvillage;arecreated16thcenturyIndianVillage,andarecreated18thcenturyfrontiertradepost.On-siteandvirtualeducationalprogramsimmersestudentsinavarietyofdisciplinesthroughthelensof16,000yearsoflifeintheUpperOhioValley.
TOVISIT:
PleasevisitEducationalProgramsatMeadowcroftforinformationaboutSchoolprogramming.
TOVIEW:
ThefollowingvideoprovidesanexcellentoverviewofMeadowcroft’sinterpretiveareas:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2vSS9cQmOI(Runtimeis2:44).
TOEXPLORE:
ExploretheMeadowcroftwebsiteforashortvirtualexhibitabouttheMeadowcroftRockshelter.
![Page 5: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Page4of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
AboutFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelter
FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterisanongoingprojectofMeadowcroftRockshelterandHistoricVillage.Theprogramencompasseson-siteandvirtualeducationalexperiencesandresourcesdesignedtosupportinteractiveexplorationofMeadowcroftRockshelter.Abasicpremiseoftheprogramisthatallvisitorspossesstheinnateabilitytomakeobservationswhichserveasthefoundationforconstructingmeaningfromthesites,objects,andnaturalandrecreatedenvironmentsatMeadowcroft.
Thecurrentprogramistheextensionofa2007projectfundedbytheClaudeWorthingtonBenedumFoundation.Thisprogramresultedinarchaeologycurriculumforusein4th-8thgradeclassrooms.Beginninginautumn2014,Meadowcroftstaff,guidedbyanEducator’sAdvisoryTeam,reevaluatedexistingresourcesandcreatednewon-siteandvirtualMeadowcroftRockshelterschoolprograms.Theseprogramsfollowthemulti-disciplinaryapproachoftheRockshelterexcavation,focusingongeology,ecology,geography,andarchaeologytohelpexplaintheculturalsignificanceofthesite.
AtthecoreofthenewthematicprogrammingliesaseriesoffiveextremeresolutionGigaPanimagesoftheRockshelter.PartnersatCarnegieMallonUniversity’sCREATELabdevelopednewtechnologyplatformstooverlaymultimediainterestspotsontheimages.Theinterestspotsincludeaudioandvideointerviewswithexperts,animations,graphics,photographsandtextthatprovidecontextasstudentsorvisitorsinteractivelyexploretheRockshelterusingacomputer.Theresultingimagessupportmediated,unmediated,andtheme-basedinteractiveexplorations,encouragingstudentstobegintolookwiththeeyeofascientistinacompellingvisualmodethatisaccessible,responsivetoindividualinterestsandengaging.
Forthefirsttime,studentswhowillvisit,aswellasthosewhocannotphysicallyvisit,haveunprecedentedaccesstotheMeadowcroftRockshelterexcavation.TeacherscanguidestudentsthroughtheGigaPanphotographs,bolsteringtheirownknowledgewithessaysandresourcesintheFirstPeoplesTeacherGuides.Aselectionofstandards-alignedactivitysuggestionsoffersadditionalopportunitiesforexploration.Armedwithauthenticresourcesandvirtualaccesstotheexcavation,studentscanviewtheimages,connectwhattheyseewithdatafromthesite,anddrawtheirowninterpretations.
![Page 6: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Page5of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
IntersectionofMajorThemesandDisciplinesinFirstPeoplesProgramming
MeadowcroftRocksheltercanbeusedtodiscussseveralthemesthatappearacrossacademicstandardsforPennsylvania,OhioandWestVirginia.Inmostcases,thethemesdrawfrommultipledisciplines.TheapproachoftheFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRocksheltercurriculummodelsthemulti-disciplinaryapproachtakenbythearchaeologistswhoinvestigatedMeadowcroftRockshelter.
ThetablebelowsummarizestheintersectionofFirstPeoplesthemeswiththemajordisciplines.Grade-appropriateactivitysuggestionsareincludedinTeacher’sGuidesforeachthematicarea.
FirstPeoplesThemes
MajorDisciplinesaddressedinFirstPeoples
Science History EnvironmentandEcology
Geography TechnologyandEngineering
Geology NaturalstratigraphyexplainstheevolutionoftheRockshelterovertime.Physicalfeaturessuggesthowthelandscapewascreated.
Throughout16,000years,geologyhasservedasthefoundationforallhumanactivityatthesite.Atthemostbasic,therocksaroundMeadowcroftanchorallaspectsofthelandscapefromwhichhumansmettheirbasicneeds.
ThegeologicprocessesthatcreatedtheCrossCreekdrainageimpactedtheflowofwaterthroughoutthewatershed.Theslopeofthelandandproximitytowaterdictatetheecologyofthewatershed.
Topographyinfluencedhowprehistoricpeoplesmovedthroughthelandscape.Inthe20thand21stcenturies,energyextractionresultedindrastichumanalterationtothelandscape.
Lithic(stone)toolswerethebackboneofthePaleo-toolkit.Coalextractioninthe20thcenturyandnaturalgasextractiontodayaremajorindustries.
GeographyandEcology
Thetopographyoftheregiondictatedthemovementsofearlypeoples.Allaspectsofprehistoriclifeweredominatedbyclimaticconditionsandtheavailabilityofnaturalresources.Theprocessesthatcreatedandchangedthephysicallandscapearestillatplaytoday.
AllprehistorichumanactivityatMeadowcroftRockshelterwasdictatedbythetopographyoftheregionandavailabilityofnaturalresources.
TheCrossCreekdrainagedisplayedastable,temperateecologyduringthePleistocene,despitebeingonly80milessouthoftheglacialadvances.ThediverseecologyremainedstableuntiltheHistoricPeriod.
Thephysicalcharacteristicsandnaturalcharacteristicsofalandscapecontributetodiscussionsofhowpeopleusedandmodifiedthelandtomeettheirneeds.Thedecreasingavailabilityofnaturalresourcesandpopulationexplosionsresultedinshiftsfromforagingtohorticultural,thenagriculturaland
Abundantnaturalresourcesprovidedmaterialsforprehistorictools.Adaptationstotoolsandtechniqueswereinfluencedbythemovementofpeoplesandtheresponsetoenvironmentalconditions.
![Page 7: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Page6of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
industrialcultures.
Archaeology Althoughoftengroupedwithsocialsciences,archaeologyusesscientificmethodologyandprocedurestounderstandthelivesofhumansinthepast.AttritionofthesandstonecliffanddepositionofsedimentscreatedthestratigraphyofMeadowcroftRockshelter(geology).Radiocarbonassaywasusedtoscientificallydateculturalevidenceatthesite.
Thepurposeofarchaeologicalinvestigationistorevealpatternsabouthumancultureoverperiodsoftime.
Geofactsandecofactscontributeevidencetothestudyofarchaeology,particularlyregardingtheavailabilityofnaturalresourcesandhumanresponsetoenvironmentalconditions.
Geographycontributesevidenceaboutthemovementofhumansthroughthelandscape,resourcedistribution,humancharacteristicsofthelandscape,andtheinteractionsbetweenpeopleandtheenvironment.
ArchaeologicalevidenceandstratigraphycanbeusedtodemonstratehowprehistorictechnologiesandpracticeschangedovertimeatMeadowcroft.FieldSchoolsatMeadowcroftinthe1970sutilizedearlycomputertechnologiesinthesystematicorganizationofdataduringtheexcavation.
CulturalFindings
Elevennaturallyoccurringstrata(geology)and52RadiocarbonassaysindicateacontinuoushumanpresenceatMeadowcroftover16,000years.
AllknownNew-WorldculturalperiodsarerepresentedatMeadowcroft.Archaeologicalevidenceexplainshowthesecultureschangedovertimeandthesignificanceofthesechanges.
TheabundantnaturalresourcesandarelativelystableclimateresultedincontinuousbutintermittenthumanuseofMeadowcroftover16,000years.Prehistoricpeoplesadaptedtominorclimaticepisodesandmodifiedtheiractivityatthesitebasedontheseasons.
Throughout16,000years,humanshavemodifiedtheCrossCreekwatershedtomeettheirevolvingneedsandinresponsetochangingenvironments.
Prehistoricpeopleadaptednewtechnologiesandpracticesinresponsetonaturalandculturalevolution.
![Page 8: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Page7of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterOn-SiteProgram
ExplorethediscoveryandexcavationofMeadowcroftRockshelter,aNationalHistoricLandmark,inthisnewlydesignedfieldtripexperience.Interactivestationsprovidestudentswithhands-onandinquiry-basedopportunitiesforuncoveringthesecretsofthe“FirstPeoples”andthemulti-disciplinaryapproachoftheexpertswhostudythearchaeologicalsite.InvestigatehowgeographyandecologyoftheCrossCreekwatershedimpactedtheabilityofprehistoricpeopletocamphere,explorethegeologicforcesthatcreatedtheRockshelteranditsstratigraphy,examinethearchaeologicalsite,andanalyzeeducationalartifactstounderstandhowarchaeologistsinterpretaculturalassemblage.
ProgramThemes
AFirstPeoplesProgramusestwotofourmajorthemestoexploretheMeadowcroftRockshelter.Eachthemefocusesonadifferentmethodologyusedbythemulti-disciplinaryteamofexpertswhodirectedthearchaeologicalinvestigations.Currentthemesinclude:
GeographyandEcology:studentsexplorethegeographyandecologyoftheCrossCreekwatershedtolearnabouthowthenaturalworldcontributestohumansettlementpatterns,suchasthebivouac(orcamp)atMeadowcroftRockshelter
Archaeology:studentsexplorethetoolsandtechniquesusedtoexcavate,document,andinterpretMeadowcroftRockshelter,focusingonstratigraphyandsitedocumentation
Geology:studentsinvestigatethegeologicalstoryoftheCrossCreekwatershedandtheformationofMeadowcroftRockshelter
CulturalFindings:studentsparticipateinhands-onactivitiesdemonstratingmaterialcultureanalysisandclassificationtoolsusedbyarchaeologiststounderstandculturalchangesovertime.
Program at a Glance
Audience: K- 12th grade
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
2 to 4 interpretive stations
Group Size: 4 groups of up to 40 students per group (Accommodations for larger groups are available by adding a visit to the Woodland Encounters area)
The program takes place outside. Please dress accordingly.
The Meadowcroft Rockshelter is located at the top of a steep slope. Access is gained by climbing 65 stairs to the lower viewing platform. There is no handicap access. However, the program can be altered to accommodate visitors with physical and other disabilities. Please inform Museum Staff of your group’s needs when making your reservation.
![Page 9: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Page8of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
Themesareselectedforschoolfieldtripsbasedonthegradelevelofstudentsandtheamountoftimeavailablefortheexperience.
Meadowcroftprogramsarefacilitatedbyprofessionalhistoricinterpretersassistedbytrainedvolunteers.Interpretersuseaninquiry-basedinterpretiveapproachtailoredtothegrade-levelandinterestoftheiraudience.Whenappropriate,interpreterspresentevidencefromtheexcavationofthesiteandleadstudentsthroughactivitiesthatapplythescientificmethod.Together,studentsandtheirinterpreterformulatehypotheses,exploretheproceduresusedtoacquiredata,analyzedatafromtheexcavation,andthendrawconclusionsbasedontheirhypotheses.Bytheendoftheprogram,studentsshouldbeabletodrawtheirownconclusionsaboutthesignificanceofthesitewhiledescribingtheprocessesanddatawhichsupportthoseconclusions.
IntendedOutcomesofThematicOn-SiteExplorationStudentswhoparticipateinaFirstPeople:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterprogramwilldemonstrategrade-appropriateunderstandingofthesiteinthefollowingways:
GeologyStudentswill:
• IdentifyanddescribegeologiceventsthatshapedthelandscapeoftheUpperOhioValley
• DescribeandexplainthegeologicforcesthatshapedthetopographyoftheCrossCreekwatershed
• IdentifyanddescribecriticalevidenceusedbygeologiststoreconstructthegeologicstoryoftheCrossCreekwatershed/UpperOhiowatershed
• Identifykeyrockformations,thecompositionofthoserocks,andtheiragesatMeadowcroftRockshelter
• DescribeandexplainthelifecycleofMeadowcroftRockshelter
• DescribeandexplainhowattritionanddepositioncontributetothestratigraphyoftheRockshelter
Geography,Environment,andEcologyStudentswill:
• Identify,describe,orexplainMeadowcroft’sgeographiclocationanddifferentmappingrepresentationsthatcanbeusedtoexplainthesite
• IdentifyanddescribehumanandnaturalcharacteristicsoftheCrossCreekwatershed
![Page 10: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Page9of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
• Identify,describeorexplainthemajorecosystemsoftheCrossCreekwatershedandthebioticandabioticcomponentsofeach
• Identify,describe,classify,oranalyzethe majorcategoriesoffloraandfaunaandthehabitatsofthoseorganismsintheCrossCreekwatershed
• Describeorexplainhowastable,temperateecologyresultedindiversenaturalresourcesthroughout16,000years
• Identify,describe,explainoranalyzetheavailabilityofnaturalresourcesandthehumaninteractionwiththeenvironmentneartheRockshelterover16,000years
• Identify,describe,explain,oranalyzethetransformationsintheecologyandgeographyoftheCrossCreekwatershedduetoincreasedhumanactivityintheHistoricPeriod
• Identify,describe,explain,oranalyzehowtheCrossCreekwatershedimpactsgeographicfeatures,culturalbehaviorsandadaptation,andresourcedistribution.
ArchaeologyStudentswill:
• Identifykeyfeaturesofanarchaeologicalsite
• Describehowarchaeologistsorganizedandexcavatedthesitetopreservethecontextofallinformation
• Definemulti-disciplinaryand/orgiveexamplesofthediversedisciplinesthatcontributedtotheMeadowcroftProject
• ExplainstratigraphyofMeadowcroftRockshelterand/orapplytheLawofSuperpositiontodemonstraterelativedating
• Differentiatebetweenandartifactandananthropogenicfeature;giveanexampleofeach
• Identifymajorcategoriesofarchaeologicalevidence
• Describeandexplaintherecovery,classification,andanalysisofcriticalevidencerecoveredfromMeadowcroftRockshelter
• Describeorexplainhowarchaeologycontributestotheunderstandingofprehistoricpeoples
• Identify,describe,orexplainthedifferencebetweenrelativeandscientificdating;giveexamplesofeach
![Page 11: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Page10of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
• RecognizeMeadowcroftRockshelterasthemostsignificantprehistoricarchaeologicalsiteinPennsylvania/theUpperOhioValley
CulturalFindingsStudentswill:
• Recognizethatarchaeologyprovidesaprocessforlearningaboutprehistoricculturalgroups;evidencefromarchaeologicalexcavationsisanalyzedandusedtoconstructinterpretationsofprehistoriclife
• DescribethestratigraphyofMeadowcroftRockshelterandidentifycriticalculturalevidenceforeachstratum
• Identify,describeandexplainthedifferentculturalgroupswhooccupiedMeadowcroft
• ExplainhowarchaeologistsusestratigraphyanddiagnosticartifactstodifferentiatebetweenCulturalPeriodsatMeadowcroft
• Identify,describeorexplainthemajorcategoriesofartifactsrecoveredfromaprehistoricarchaeologicalsite
• Identify,describe,explainand/orgiveexamplesofhowcontinuityandchangecanappearintheartifactrecord
• DescribetheMillerComplexandexplainwhythematerialsinStratumIIalowerupsetarchaeologicaltheories
• DescribeandexplainhowarchaeologyatMeadowcroftcontributedtoare-thinkingoftheClovisFirstTheory
Inadditiontotheanticipatedoutcomesforeachtheme,studentswillhavetheopportunitytopracticethefollowingreading,writing,speaking,listeningandlanguagestrategies:
• Askrelevantquestions • Evaluateavarietyofsourcesacrossarangeofdisciplines• Demonstratecommandofrelevantvocabulary• Articulatetheirownideas• Comprehendcriticalinformationaboutthethemeandciteevidencethatsupportsthetheme• Listenactivelytoapresenter;collaboratewithclassmatesandmuseumstaff• Summarizekeypoints• Makeandshareobservationsaboutthesite• Experiencesensorystimulationfromtheoutdoorenvironmentofthesite
![Page 12: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Page11of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
PreparingforanOn-SiteFirstPeoplesFieldTrip
SchoolsplanningtovisitMeadowcroftRockshelterduringafieldtripshouldallocateaminimumofonepre-visitandone-postvisitclassroomperiodforpreparationanddebriefing.
Studentsshouldhavebasicknowledgeofthe“sciences”ofarchaeology,geology,andecologybeforevisiting.Theyshouldalsohaveworkinggeographicknowledgeofthearea.FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterResourcescanbeusedtopreparestudentsfortheirvisit.
Studentsshouldhaveattainedatleastanelementaryunderstandingofthefollowinggeneralconcepts/vocabularybeforevisiting:
On-SitePreparationSteps
1.AdministertheappropriatePre-Visitevaluation
2.Playthe“IntroductiontoMeadowcroft”videoORpresenttheIntroductiontoMeadowcroftRockshelterPowerPoint
3.ConductoneoftheFirstPeoplesGigaPanactivities
4.Onedaypriortoyourvisit,offeranoverviewoftheprogram,reviewlogisticsandreviewappropriatebehaviorandattirefortheday.
Optional:
SelectoneofthethematicactivitiesorcreateyourownactivityfromthesuggestionsintheThematicteacherguides.
Post-Visit
-Conductadebriefingexerciseorsummaryactivity
-administerthePost-VisitEvaluation
-ProvidefeedbacktoMeadowcroftstaffbye-mailingardonovan@heinzhistorycenter.org
![Page 13: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Page12of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
Vocabulary ConceptsRockshelterWatershedArchaeologyGeologyGeographyEcologyArtifactFeatureStratigraphyHabitatEnvironmentCultureErosionEvidence
BasicNeedsOhioRiverWatershedGeologicForcesScientificMethodLawofSuperposition/StratigraphyRelativevs.ScientificDatingCulturalPeriods
![Page 14: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Page13of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
On-siteLogistics
AvisittoMeadowcroftisauniqueexperiencethatissimilartoavisittoaNationalorStateParkthantoamuseum.Inadvanceofyourvisit,pleaseprepareyourstudentsfortheexperiencesothattheyarecomfortableandreadytolearnwhentheyarrive.
OutdoorMuseum
MeadowcroftRockshelterisanoutdoorsite.Pleaseadvisestudentsandchaperonestodressappropriatelyfortheweather.Close-toedshoesarehighlyrecommended.Sunscreenandinsectrepellentaredesirabledependingonconditionsthedayyouvisit.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyofthebuildingsandgrounds,pleasestayonthetrails.Poisonivyandstingingnettlegrowontheproperty.Avarietyofdiversebirds,animals,insects,reptiles,andamphibianscallMeadowcrofthome.Pleaserespecttheirhabitatsandlookbutdonotfeedortouchanycreatures.Leaveonlyyourfootprints.
TheMeadowcroftgroundsencompassover200acresandincludebothopenandforestedareaswithvaryingslopeandterrain.Forsafetyandoutofrespecttoothervisitors,pleasewalkbetweeninterpretiveareasandsharethetrails.
LunchArrangements
Lunchspaceisavailableonafirst-come,first-servedbasis.Apicnicpavilion,outdoorpicnictables,andlimitedindoorseatingareavailable.LunchwillbescheduledeitherbeforeorafteryourprogramsincestudentsmustbebussedtoaremoteportionofthemuseumfortheFirstPeoplesprogram.
Studentswillneedtobringbaggedlunchesasthemuseumsellsonlysnacksanddrinks.Waterfountainsareavailableifstudentswishtobringtheirownreusablewaterbottles.Pleaseremindstudentstocleanupafterthemselvesandplaceanygarbageinappropriatereceptacles.
GroupSizeandDistinction
Groupswillbedividedaccordingtothenumberofinterpretivestationsplannedfortheday.Youmaywishtomakethiseasierbypre-assigningstudentstoagroup.Someteachersfinditeasiesttohaveallthestudentsinonegroupwearthesamecolort-shirtornametag.
![Page 15: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Page14of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
PersonalTechnology
CamerasandcellphonesarepermittedduringallportionsoftheFirstPeoplesprogram,withpermissionoftheteacher/school.PleasenotethatMeadowcroftisremotelylocatedandthatcellphonesignalstrengthvariesbycarrierandlocationontheproperty.Pleaseensurethatbatteriesarefullychargedbeforevisiting.
Accessibility
TheFirstPeoplesprogramoccursatthefootofthehillfromtheMeadowcroftVisitorsCenter.InterpretivestationsareinthegravellotattheRockshelterandintheRockshelterenclosure.TheRockshelterislocatedatthetopof65stairs;restareasareprovidedonthestairwell.Anystudentwithspecialneedsmaybeaccompaniedbyanadultwhocanhelpthemnavigatethesiteandparticipateprograms.Anyaccessibility-relatedconcernsmaybeaddressedpriortoyourvisitbycontactingMeadowcroftStaffat724-587-3412.
GiftShop
Agiftshop/bookstoreisavailableonsite.PleaseletMeadowcroftstaffknowifyouallowyourstudentstovisitthegiftshop;wewillassigneachgroupatimeonthescheduletominimizecongestioninthespace.Ifyouwillbeshopping,pleaseremindyourstudentstobringmoney.
Chaperones
Chaperonesareessentialtothesuccessofafieldtrip.However,avisittoMeadowcroftRockshelterisunlikemanyfieldtripsinthatitbridgesatraditionalmuseumexperienceandanoutdoorpark-likeatmosphere.Teachersshouldhelppreparethechaperonesforthevisit,communicatingexpectationsandbasicsafetyinformationpriortoyourarrivalonsite.Usethechaperoneguideonthefollowingpagetoprepareyourchaperones.Feelfreetocustomizetheguidewithyourownexpectationsornotes.
![Page 16: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Page15of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
ChaperoneGuidetoMeadowcroftRockshelter
AboutOurFieldTrip:OurstudentswillbeparticipatinginaFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterprogram.StudentswillbevisitingtheMeadowcroftRockshelter,aprehistoricarchaeologicalsite,tolearnabouttheprocessofarchaeology,geology,thegeographyandecologyoftheCrossCreekwatershed,andtheculturalevidencerecoveredbyarchaeologists.YoucanlearnabouttheprogrambyvisitingMeadowcroft’swebsite(http://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/meadowcroft).Attire:Theprogramtakesplaceoutside;pleasedressaccordingly.Close-toedshoesarehighlysuggested.Pleaserememberthatyouarerepresentingourschooldistrictwhenyouchooseyourattire.Groups:OurstudentswillbedividedintogroupsforthedurationoftheRockshelterprogram.Youwillbeassignedtoonegroup;pleasestaywiththatgroupatalltimes.EachgroupwillhaveauniqueschedulethatallowsthemtoexperiencealltheinterpretivestationsattheRockshelter.Pleasemakesureyourgroupfollowstheschedule.Safety:TheprogramrequiresstudentstobebussedfromtheVisitorCentertoaremotelocationonthesite’sproperty.OnceattheRockshelter,studentswillbenearadeepandswiftcreek,rockyterrain,andaforestenvironment.Groupswillneedtoclimbasteepstaircase(65stairs)toaccesstheRocksheltersite;landingsandrestpointsarebuiltintotheclimb.Pleasemakesureyourgroupstayssafe:
• Stayonmarkedtrailsandpathways• Donotsitorclimbonthefences,wallsorbarricades• Walk;norunningorhorseplay• Lookatbutdonotfeed,touchorapproachanywildcreaturesyoumayencounter• StaytoyourrightwhenusingthestairstotheRockshelter;groupswillbepassingoneanother
whenmovingbetweeninterpretivestations.Lunches:Lunchspaceisavailableonafirst-come,first-servedbasis.Museumstaffwillassignusalunchtime.Themuseumonlysellssnacksandbeverages;pleasebringalunchwithyou.Waterfountainsareavailableifyouwishtobringarefillablewaterbottle.PersonalTechnology:Wewillbefollowingourschool’stechnologypolicyduringthefieldtrip.Pleasemodelappropriatebehaviorandmuteyourphoneandonlyuseittotakepictures.NotethatMeadowcroftisremotelylocatedandthatcellphonesignalstrengthvariesbycarrierandlocationontheproperty.Pleaseensurethatbatteriesarefullychargedbeforevisiting.
![Page 17: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Page16of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
![Page 18: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Page17of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
FirstPeoplesVirtualSchoolPrograms
Meadowcroftofferstwodifferentopportunitiesforvirtualprogramming:facilitatedvideoconferencingorteacher-ledvirtualfieldtrips.BothprogramsusetheFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterresourcesandGigaPanimages,offeringstudentswhocannotphysicallyvisitthesiteanunprecedentedopportunitytoinvestigateMeadowcroftRockshelter.
VideoconferencingClassroomscanengageincollaborative,interactivelearningexperienceswithMeadowcroftstafffromremotelocationsusingvideoconferencingtechnology.AdesignatedmemberoftheMeadowcroftEducationstaffwillbeassignedtofacilitateallaspectsofyourprogram.Theseprogramsfollowageneralthematicoutline;however,staffmemberswillworkwithyou(beginninguptosixweeksinadvanceofyourprogram)totailortheprogramtoyourclass.Duringthevideoconference,thefacilitatorwilluseacombinationofdistancelearningtechniquestoengageyourclassroom,includingpresentation,discussion,question-and-answer,cooperativeproblem-solving,andreflection.Thetechniquesrequirestudentstopracticevariousreading,writing,speaking,listening,andlanguagestandards.StudentswillengagewithavarietyofdatafromtheintensivestudyoftheRockshelter,high-resolutionGigaPanimages,andmulti-mediacontent.Includedinthefeeforthevideoconference,isapre-visitphonecallwiththeteachertocustomizetheexperience,pre-visitmaterialswhichwillbee-mailedaminimumoftwoweekspriortotheprogram,andafollow-upcallore-mail.Mostprogramsrequiretheteachertohavestudentswriteandsubmitquestionsinadvanceofyourprogramdate.
VideoconferenceThemesandOutcomesTeacherscanchoosefromfivethematicvideoconferencingexplorations,including:
1) MeadowcroftRockshelterOverview:ExplorethesecretsofMeadowcroftRockshelterandthesignificanceofthesiteinNorthAmericanarchaeology.
Program at a Glance
Audience: 4th- 12th grade
Program Duration: 45 to 60 minutes
Availability: November -March
The program requires Internet access.
Please inform Museum Staff of your group’s technology capabilities when making your reservation. Content can be tailored to your needs.
For more information on the programs, contact Andrew Donovan, Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or (724)587-3412.
![Page 19: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Page18of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
AnticipatedStudentOutcomes: • IdentifyMeadowcroftRockshelterasoneoftheoldest,mostcontinually
(althoughintermittently)occupiedarchaeologicalsitesinNorthAmerica,containingevidenceofallmajorprehistoricCulturalPeriods
• Explainthestate-of-the-artmulti-disciplinaryarchaeologicalinvestigation• Describecriticalevidencerecoveredfromthesite,includingartifacts,features,
geofacts,andecofacts• Explainhowastable,temperateecologyresultedindiversenaturalresources
throughout16,000years
2) ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelter:InvestigatethemethodologiesusedbytheexpertswhoexcavatedtheRockshelterandexploretheevidenceleftbytheFirstPeoples.
AnticipatedStudentOutcomes: • Describehowarchaeologistsorganizedandexcavatedthesitetopreservethe
contextofallinformation• Definemulti-disciplinaryandgiveexamplesofthediversedisciplinesthat
contributedtotheMeadowcroftProject• ExplainstratigraphyofMeadowcroftRockshelterandapplytheLawof
Superpositiontodemonstraterelativedating• Describeandexplaintherecovery,classification,andanalysisofcriticalevidence
recoveredfromMeadowcroftRockshelter
3) CrossCreekEcology:ExplorethegeographyandecologyoftheCrossCreekwatershedtodeterminehowthenaturalworldimpactedthelivesoftheFirstPeoples.
AnticipatedStudentOutcomes: • DescribethelocationofMeadowcroftRockshelteronvariousgeographic
representations• ExplainthemajorecosystemsoftheCrossCreekwatershed• Explainmajorcategoriesoffloraandfaunaandthehabitatsofthoseorganisms
intheCrossCreekwatershed• Explainhowastable,temperateecologyresultedindiversenaturalresources
throughout16,000years
4) AGeologicHistoryoftheMeadowcroftRockshelter:DiscoverthegeologicforcesthatshapedtheCrossCreekwatershed,createdtheRockshelter,andimpactedthesubsequentstratigraphyofthesite.
AnticipatedStudentOutcomes: • Describeandexplainthegeologicevents/forcesthatcreatedthelandscapeof
theUpperOhioValley,includingerosion,downcutting,etc.• IdentifyandDescribecriticalevidenceusedbygeologiststoreconstructthe
geologicstoryoftheCrossCreekwatershed• DescribeandexplainthelifecycleofMeadowcroftRockshelter• Explainhowattritionanddepositioncontributetothestratigraphyofthe
Rockshelter
![Page 20: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Page19of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
5) TheCulturalSignificanceoftheMeadowcroftRockshelter:UncoverculturalevidencefromMeadowcroftRocksheltertounderstandtheculturalprogressionofFirstPeoplesinNorthAmerica.
AnticipatedStudentOutcomes: • DescribethestratigraphyofMeadowcroftRockshelterandidentifycritical
culturalevidenceforeachstratum• Explainhowarchaeologistsusestratigraphyanddiagnosticartifactsto
differentiatebetweenCulturalPeriodsatMeadowcroft.• DescribetheMillerComplexandexplainwhythematerialsinStratumIIalower
upsetarchaeologicaltheories• DescribeandexplainhowarchaeologyatMeadowcroftcontributedtoare-
thinkingoftheClovisFirstTheory
Inadditiontooutcomesforeachtheme,studentswillhavetheopportunitytopracticethefollowingreading,writing,speaking,listeningandlanguagestrategies:
• Writeandaskrelevantquestions • Evaluateavarietyofsourcesacrossarangeofdisciplines• Demonstratecommandofrelevantvocabulary• Articulatetheirownideas• Comprehendcriticalinformationaboutthethemeandciteevidencethatsupportsthetheme• Listenactivelytoapresenter• Summarizekeypoints• Describethestrengthsandlimitationsofparticipatinginafieldexplorationusing
videoconferencingtechnology
PreparingforVideoconferencingFirstPeoplesLearningExperiencesVideoconferencingProgramsarecurrentlyavailableNovember-MarchwhenMeadowcroftisnotphysicallyopentothepublic.Pleasecontactstaffaminimumofsixweeksbeforeyourpreferredprogram.
FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterVideoconferencingprogramsaredesignedasacollaborativeendeavorbetweenMeadowcroftstaffandclassroomteachers.Pleasebepreparedtoofferinputduringtheplanningprocess.Thefollowingtableoffersasummarytimelineforplanningandimplementingyourcustomizedvideoconference.Pleasenotethattheteacherisresponsibleforsupplyinginformationand/orleadingafewactivitiesbeforeyourprogram.
ThetableonthefollowingpageoffersanapproximatetimelineforpreparingforaFirstPeoplesvideoconference.
![Page 21: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Page20of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
TimelineforPreparingforaFirstPeoplesVideoconferenceTimeframe Task NotesSixWeekspriortopreferredprogramdate(minimum)
ContactMeadowcroftStafftoscheduleprogram.
Meadowcroftstaffwille-mailorcallinresponsetoyouronlineorphonereservation.
Onemonthpriortoprogram
CorrespondwithMeadowcroftstafftotailorcontentanddiscusspreferredobjectives.
Meadowcroftstaffwillcallyouaminimumof30daysbeforeyourprogramtotailorcontentanddiscussyourobjectives.Pleasescheduleapproximately20minutesforthiscall.Thiswillbefollowedbyaconfirmatione-mailcontaininganoutlineforyourprogramandanypre-visitactivities/materials.
Twoweekspriortoprogram
IntroduceMeadowcrofttoyourstudentsandadministerthepre-programevaluation.
Apre-andpost-evaluation(identical)offersyouanopportunitytogaugestudentlearning.
Completeanypre-visitclassroomactivities,havestudentswritequestionstheyhopetohaveanswered.
E-mailMeadowcroftStaff
Sharepre-programpreparationsandclassprofilewithMeadowcroftStaff
Oneweekout Participateinthetechrun Thisisafive(5)minutetechruntomakesurethere
arenoconnectivityissues.RemindstudentsthattheywillbeparticipatinginaVideoconferencenextweek
Reviewprotocolandexpectations
DayBefore Remindstudentsthattomorrowisthe
videoconference.
PrepareclassroomandanymaterialsthatyourStafffacilitatorhassuggested
Dayof Helpfacilitatestudentparticipation
duringprogramPleaseengagewithMeadowcroftStaffandmodelappropriatebehaviorforyourstudents.
Post-program Administerpost-programstudent
evaluation
Completeapost-programactivity E-mailMeadowcroftStaffwithanyfollow-upquestionsor“shareable”moments”
Completeaprogramevaluation Mailore-mailyourfeedbacktoMeadowcroftStaff
![Page 22: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Page21of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
VirtualFieldTripsofMeadowcroftRockshelter
TheFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterGigaPanimagesprovideanengagingvirtualfieldtripforstudents.Theimagesarestructuredtoenableself-guidedvirtualfieldtripsorforteacher-designedvisits.Theimagescontainembeddedthematic“lessons”,completewithcuratedtext,highlightedvocabularyterms,visualmaterials,andmultimediacontent.Tabsatthebottomofeachimagecanbeusedtoexploreatheme,offeringanumberedsequenceofinterestpoints.Alternately,studentscanrandomlyselectinterestpointstoexplorethesiteastheirowninterestspermit.
TeachersmayalsochoosetodeveloptheirownvirtualfieldtripbycreatingaworksheetthatguidesstudentexplorationtotheMeadowcroftRockshelter.Inthiscase,materialscurriculummaterialsfromtheFirstPeoplesresourceswillsupplementtheinformationembeddedintheGigaPanimages.IfyoudevelopavirtualfieldtripusingFirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelter,pleaseshareyourworkwithMeadowcroftStaff.
Toconductavirtualfieldtrip,usetheFirstPeoplesGigaPanlessons.
TolearnmoreaboutteachingwithFirstPeoplesGigaPan,downloadtheFirstPeoplesGigaPanResourcesGuide.
![Page 23: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Page22of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
SignificanceofMeadowcroftRockshelterMeadowcroftRockshelter(36Wh297)isadeeplystratified,multi-componentarchaeologicalsitesituatedonthenorthbankofCrossCreek,asmalluplaoftheOhioRiver.ThesiteislocatednearAvella,PennsylvaniainWashingtonCounty.TheexcavationatMeadowcroftwasconductedbytheUniversityofPittsburghbeginninginthe1970sandyieldedtremendousamountsofdata,includingwellpreservedplant,animal,andculturalremains.
Radiocarbondatesindicatethathumansoccupiedthesiteatleast16,000yearsago,makingthelocationoneoftheoldestculturalsitesinNorthAmerica.Duetoexceptionallyintact,deepstratigraphy(16feet),MeadowcroftalsoyieldedthemostcontinuousrecordofprehistoriclifeinPennsylvania,coveringallmajorculturalperiodsfromPaleo-IndianthroughtheHistoricPeriod.
Thesiteissignificantfortwoprimaryreasons:
• StratumIIalowercontainsthemostsignifcantpre-ClovisPaleo-IndianartifactsinPennsylvania,ifnotNorthAmerica.RadiocarbondatesfromStratumIIaindicateahumanpresenceatleast5,000yearsbeforeClovisPaleo-Indiansites.LithictechnologiesfromthislevelincludestonebladesthatresemblestonetoolsfoundinSiberiadatingtothesameperiod.TheMillerLanceolate,namedforthemanwhodiscoveredMeadowcroftRockshelter,isanunflutedprojectilepointthatresembleslaterflutedpoints.ThissuggeststhattheearliestpeopleatMeadowcroftweretheancestorsoflaterPaleo-Indiangroups.TheappearanceofthistechnologycanalsobeusedtosupportnewclaimstothepeoplingofNorthAmerica.
• TheexcavationatMeadowcroftRockshelterisknowninscientificcommunitiesforthethoroughnessofthestate-of-the-art,interdisciplinaryarchaeologicalinvestigation.AtMeadowcroft,avastteamofexpertsfromthirty-twoacademicdisciplinescontributedthebestpracticesfortheirspecialties,resultinginacomprehensivegatheringofdatathatenabledavirtualreconstructionofallaspectsoflifeatprehistoricMeadowcroft.Althoughundertakeninthe1970s,themethodologiesemployedatthesitearerenownedthroughoutthearchaeologicalcommunitytothisday.
TheexcavationteamatMeadowcroftRocksheltergatheredanimmenseamountofdataaboutthenaturalandculturalworld.Bypreservingthecontextofeachpieceofdatawithinthesite’sstratigraphy,thescientistsandarchaeologistscouldcreateachronologyofwhatallaspectsoflifeat
Figure1ViewlookingnortheastatMeadowcroftRockshelterfromacrossCrossCreekshowingfirstwoodenstructureovertheshelter(PhotographbyDr.JamesAdovasio,November1993)
![Page 24: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Page23of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
Meadowcroftlookedlike.Specifically,theearthscientists,botanists,biologists,andecologistsstudiedthenaturalworldandchangestotheprehistoricenvironment.Thearchaeologistsandanthropologistsusedthedatatorecreatetheculturalrecord.Workingtogether,thetwoteams(naturalsciencesandculturalsciences)begantointerprettheculturalresponsetothechangingnaturalworld.Thedatageneratedduringtheexcavationcontinuestoberesearchedtoday.EducatorscanbenefitfromthedataandstudybyusingMeadowcroftasacasestudyforhowdifferentacademicdisciplinesworktogethertodrawconclusions.ThesummariesonthefollowingpagesidentifythekeycontentforthemajorthemesaddressedinFirstPeoples:MeadowcroftRockshelter.EachsummaryofferslinkstotheGigaPanimages,ThematicTeacher’sGuides,andthematicGigaPanlessonsthatcanbefurtherinvestigated.
![Page 25: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Page24of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
GeologyInquiryatMeadowcroftRockshelter
MeadowcroftislocatedontheunglaciatedportionoftheAppalachianorAlleghenyPlateau,westofthevalleyandridgeprovinceoftheAppalachianMountains,andnorthwestoftheAppalachianBasin.ThesurfacerocksofthisregionarelayeredsedimentaryrocksofMiddletoUpperPennsylvaniaAge(CasselmanFormation).Thepredominantlithologiesareshale,quartz,sandstone,limestone,andcoalindecreasingorderofabundance.
Rocksheltersformwhensofterbedrockerodesunderaharderlithology.MeadowcroftRockshelterisformedbeneathacliffofMorgantown-Connellsvillesandstone,ahard,thickfluvialorchannelsandstonewithintheCasselmanFormation(UpperConemaugh)ofthePennsylvaniaPeriod.Thesandstonevariesfromasub-greywacketoprotoquartziteincomposition.Itisanimmaturesandstonecomposedpredominantlyofquartzgrainswithminoramountsofmica,feldspar,androckfragments.TherockunderlyingtheMorgantown-Connellsvillesandstoneisalessresistantlithology,mostlikelyshale.TheRockshelterformedwhensurfaceweatheringandstreamerosionfromCrossCreekworeawayatthesofterlithology,cuttingbackintothehillsideunderthesandstoneandformingareentrantunderthesandstonecliff.ThesandstonethenremainedasarooftotheRockshelter.By21,000yearsbeforethepresent,theRockshelterwashighanddryabovethefloodplainofCrossCreekandavailableforhumanoccupation.
TheceilingoftheRockshelterisgraduallymigratingupwardandcliff-wardaserosionoccursbothontheRockshelterceilingandthecliffface.Withinthefaceoftheshelterexcavation,therecessionofthedriplinerepresentingthecliffedgepositioncanbeplainlyseen.Mosttypically,erosionresultsinthedislodgmentofindividualsandgrains.Morerarely,rockfragmentsuptothesizeofasmallhousehavefallen.Thiserosion,inadditiontosheetwashfromthecontiguousuplandareas,isresponsibleforthedevelopmentofthestratigraphyofthearchaeologicalsite.
TolearnmoreaboutthegeologyofMeadowcroftRockshelter,pleaseexplorethecompanionTeacher’sGuidetoGeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelter
Toconductalessonongeology,downloadtheGeologyGigaPanExploration.
PrimaryConcepts
LandformsintheOhiodrainage
AncestralOhioRiverdrainage
GeologicTimeScaleandHistoryofOhiovalley
DowncuttingandErosionintheformationofTopography
LithologiesandGeologicDating
RockshelterFormationandlifecycle
StratigraphyandtheLawofSuperposition
![Page 26: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Page25of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
GeographyandEcologyoftheCrossCreekWatershedMeadowcroft Rockshelter is in northern Washington County,Pennsylvania,roughly35milessouthwestofPittsburghandjustover2milesfromAvella,PA.Thesiteissituatedonthenorthbankof Cross Creek, a small tributary of the Ohio River, which liesroughly7milestothewest.ThesiteisinthePittsburghPlateausSectionoftheAppalachianPlateausPhysiographicProvince.
Topographically,theregionismaturelydissected.Morethan50percentoftheareaisinvalleyslopeswithuplandandvalleybottomareasintheminority.Thestreampatternisdendriticwithdrainagerunningnorthwestwardtowestward,crossingthestatelineintoBrookeCounty,WestVirginiaandultimatelydrainingintotheOhioRivernearFollansbee,WV.ThistopographywasgeneratedduringthePleistocenewhenincreasedprecipitationandrunoffcausedextensivedowncutting.
MeadowcroftRockshelterisorientedroughlyeast-westwithasouthernexposure,andstandsapproximately50feetaboveCrossCreekand803.5feetabovesealevel.Theareaprotectedbytheextantsandstoneoverhangisca.213squarefeetwhiletheoverhangitselfissome42.6feetabovethemodernsurfaceofthesite.Theshelterwasavailableforhumanoccupationby21,000yearsago.InadditiontothepotentialavailabilityofwaterfromCrossCreek,springsareabundantintheimmediatevicinityoftheshelter.TheCrossCreekfloodplainbelow,andblufffaceandblufftopimmediatelyaroundMeadowcroftRockshelter,arecurrentlycoveredwithamixeddeciduousforest.
TheecologyoftheCrossCreekValleyremainedrelativelystablefromtheendoftheWisconsinanGlaciation11,000yearsagountiltheHistoricPeriod.Atonetime,forestcoveredallthewatershed.Mixedoakforestsdominatedhill-topsandsouth-facingslopes,mixedAppalachianmesophyticforestsonnorth-facingslopesandinheadwatercoves,andriverineforestsonalluvialfloodplains.Mostoftheareawascutintheearlynineteenth-centurywhenthelandwasfirstclearedandpreparedforagriculture.Areaswhicharereforestedhavebeenrepeatedlyloggedandrepresentsecondaryforests.
PrimaryConcepts
Ecology
HabitatsintheCrossCreekdrainage
CategoriesofLife
ForestTypesandSuccession
FloralandFaunalSpecies
BioticandAbioticcomponentsofalandscape
ClimaticEpisodesandAdaptation
NaturalResources
Humanimpactontheenvironment
AgricultureandSociety
ResourceManagement
Geography
GeographicLiteracyoftheOhiovalley
Watershedflowanddrainagepatterns
StreamSuccession
Topography
Landforms
Physicalandhumancharacteristicsofthelandscape
Interactionsbetweenpeopleandtheenvironment
![Page 27: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Page26of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
FaunalpopulationsremainedrelativelystablefromPleistoceneuntiltheHistoricPeriod.Aslateasthebeginningoftheeighteenth-century,elk,blackbear,mountainlion,wildcat,timberwolf,fisher,otter,beaver,wildturkeyandpassengerpigeoncouldbefoundinthehillsofwesternPennsylvania.Today,white-taileddeer,cottontailrabbit,grayandfoxsquirrel,ringneckpheasant,bobwhitequail,ruffedgrouse,muskratandminkconstitutetheprinciplegamespeciesofthearea.Theruffedgrouse,wildturkey,andtheintroducedringneckpheasantcomprisethegamebirdsofthearea.Terrestrialandriverinereptilesarerepresentedbyblacksnake,gartersnake,boxturtleandsnappingturtle.Amphibiansincludevarioussalamanders,toads,treefrogsandbullfrogs.
Throughouttheglacialadvances,whichcamewithin80milesofMeadowcroftRockshelter,theCrossCreekValleyretainedatemperate,Carolinianenvironment.Theclimateoftheareaischaracterizedbyawideseasonaltemperaturerangewithamoderateamountofprecipitationfallingprimarilyduringthewarmpartsoftheyear.InWashingtonCounty,PA,theyearlytemperaturesrangefrom-20°Fduringthewintermonthsto90°+FinJulyandAugust.Thetemperaturestendtobelowerinhillyareasthaninmorelevelpartsofthecounty,withnighttimetemperaturesdroppingcolderthandaytime.Meanwhile,daytimetemperaturesaregenerallyhigherinvalleybottomsthanonhilltops.Approximately22inchesofrainfallduringthe150frost-freegrowingseasondays,withanaveragetotalof40inchesofrainfallingannually.
TolearnmoreaboutthegeographyandecologyatMeadowcroft,pleaseexploretheTeacher’sGuidetoGeographyandEcologyatMeadowcroftRockshelter.
Toconductalesson,downloadtheGeographyandEcologyExploration.
![Page 28: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Page27of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelter
ArchaeologicalexcavationswereconductedatMeadowcroftRockshelterunderthedirectionofDr.JamesAdovasio,thenoftheDepartmentofAnthropologyattheUniversityofPittsburgh,from1973to1979(6fieldseasons,417excavationdaysof12to14hours).Dr.Adovasiolaterledadditionalworkduringthe1990sasdirectoroftheMercyhurstArchaeologicalInstitute,MercyhurstCollege.Thisworkconsistedofsitemaintenancetocleanupslumpsintheshelter.Nonewarchaeologicalexcavationworkhasbeenundertakensincethisperiod.
Fromthestartoftheproject,theexcavationwasdesignedasamulti-disciplinaryinvestigationtogatherasmuchdataaspossibleaboutthesiteandsurroundingarea.Everystepoftheprocesswasplannedanddocumentedtopreservethecontextofanyrecovereddata.Contextisthethree-dimensionallocationofanartifactorfeatureinrelationtoalltheotherartifacts,features,geofacts,orecofactsaroundit,includingsoil.Archaeologyisadestructivescience:theprocessdestroysthecontextoftheevidence.Greatcareisnecessarytoensurethatallinformationisrecordedaccuratelysincetherearenosecondchances.Thedatagatheredduringthearchaeologicalinvestigationyieldedgeological,ecological,andanthropologicalinformation.
Elevenwell-definedstratigraphicunitswereisolatedatthesiteandmeticulouslyexcavatedusingthebeststratigraphicmethodologyavailableatthetime.Infact,theexcavationsarestillwidelyconsideredtobestate-of-the-art.ThestratawerenumberedfromStratumI,theoldestanddeepestunit,toStratumXI,theuppermostandyoungest.Fifty-fourradiocarbonassayshavebeenrunonsamplesfromMeadowcroft,firmlydatingtheelevenstrataandvariousoccupationsoftheRockshelter.
ExcavationsatMeadowcroftendedafter1979,atwhichtimeapproximatelythree-quartersoftheareaunderthedriplinehadbeenexcavated.Itwasdecidedafterthe1979
PrimaryConcepts
History
BranchesofAnthropology
PeoplingofNorthAmerica:Clovisvs.Pre-Clovis
ContinuityandChangeoverTime
Complete,SequentialOccupationalSeriesatRockshelter
ArtifactandFeaturesasPrimaryEvidence
Rockshelter’ssignificanceinregionalandworldhistory
Science
ScientificMethodology
EcofactsandEvidence
Stratigraphy
RadiocarbonDating
![Page 29: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Page28of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
fieldschooltopreserveunexcavateddepositsforfutureworkwhennewermethodologiesandtechnologiesmightyieldsignificantnewdata.Sincethen,onlymaintenanceworkhasbeenconductedonsite.Thereremainsignificantdepositsofallelevendefinedstratathatcouldbeexcavatedusingnewermethodologiesandtechniquestoaddressnewresearchquestionsandextractinformationanddatanotrecoveredbyexcavationsconductedduringthe1970s.
TolearnmoreaboutarchaeologyatMeadowcroft,pleaseexploretheTeacher’sGuidetoArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelter.
Toconductalesson,downloadtheArchaeologyExploration.
![Page 30: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Page29of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
CulturalSignificanceofMeadowcroftRockshelter
MeadowcroftRockshelter’ssignificancelieswiththestratigraphyofthesite:hiddenwithintheelevennaturalstrataisacontinuousbutintermittentrecordofculturalactivity.ApplyingtheLawofSuperposition,archaeologistssafelyassumethatanyculturalevidenceiswhereitwasdepositedbyprehistoricpeoples,withtheoldestevidencebeingdeepestandthenewestontop.
Fifty-tworadiocarbondatesanchorthestratigraphicsequence.ThecalibratedagesfortheseassaysindicateaWoodlandperiodascriptionforStrataXI-IV(upper),anArchaicascriptionforStrataIV(middle)-IIb,andapredominatelyPaleo-IndianascriptionforStratumIIa.Inshort,thecalibrateddatesfromMeadowcroftsupportacompletesequenceofeverymajorprehistoricculturalperiodinNorthAmerica,includingmajorculturaltransitionssuchascropdomestication.
PriortotheexcavationofMeadowcroftRockshelter,theaccepted“FirstPeoples”werethePaleo-IndianCloviscultures,namedforasetofdistinctivestonetoolsassociatedwithPleistocenefaunadiscoverednearClovis,NewMexico,andradiocarbondatedbetween11,500and11,000YBP.However,inStratumIIAatMeadowcroft,archaeologistsencounteredecologicaldataandculturalmaterialsdubbedthe“MillerComplex”(includingbasketry,amodifiedwoodspearforeshaft,anotablelithicassemblage)thatwerestratigraphicallybelowPaleo-IndianculturalmaterialsthatwereradiocarbondatedtothesametimeasClovis.Thesematerialshavebeenradiocarbondatedbetween16,175and11,300yearsago,registeringaculturalpresenceatleast4,000yearsbeforeClovis.Ontopofthat,thelithiccontext
oftheso-calledMillerComplexlookedverydifferentthanClovisassemblages.ThesePre-ClovisPaleo-IndianfindsarethemostsignificantculturalmaterialsatMeadowcroft
PrimaryConcepts
History
PeoplingofNorthAmerica:Clovisvs.Pre-Clovis
CulturalPeriods:ContinuityandChangeoverTime
Millerlanceolateandartifactscriticaltohistory
Complete,SequentialOccupationalSeriesatRockshelter
SignificanceofMeadowcroftRockshelterinregional,US,andWorldHistory
Humangeographyandsocialorganization
Science,TechnologyandEngineeringEducation
Characteristicsofprehistorictechnologies
NaturalResourcesandmaterialsselection
![Page 31: First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter · First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter is an ongoing project of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022063014/5fcf05e4561322272f3ea2b3/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Page30of30FirstPeoples:ArchaeologyatMeadowcroftRockshelterSchoolProgramsGuide
MeadowcroftwasthefirstarchaeologicalsitetopublishPre-Clovismaterials,givingrisetonewtheoriesabouthowandwhenNorthAmericawaspeopled.ThefactthatthereremainsasubstantialunexcavatedportionofearlyandlaterlevelsmeansthesitehasthepotentialforotherstotesttheexistinginterpretationsofthesiteandtoyieldevenmoredataontheearlyinhabitantsoftheUnitedStates.SincepublicationofMeadowcroft’sPre-Cloviscomponentinthe1970s,othersitesusingsimilarmethodologieshavereportedsimilarfindingsinartifacts,stratigraphy,andradiocarbonassays.TogetherthesesitesdemonstratethatprehistoricpeoplewereactiveinNorthAmericanatminimum5,000yearsbeforeClovispeoples.MeadowcroftRockshelterremainsacriticalpieceofevidenceintheunderstandingofthesefirstpeoples.
TolearnmoreabouttheCulturalSignificanceofMeadowcroft,pleasevisitthecompanionTeacher’sGuidetoCulturalFindings.
Toconductalesson,downloadtheCulturalFindingsExploration.