This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the nature of indigenous society. The inquiry focuses on indigenous society in Utah and opens with a question about Prehistoric Utah. From there, students examine indigenous artifacts to learn more about society. Lastly, consider how societies impact and utilize their environment. To understand indigenous society in Utah, evidence like tools, pottery, and cave paintings can offer insights into their daily lives, beliefs, and environmental interactions. Artifacts, through their design and materials, reveal cultural aspects such as social organization, trade, and technological advancements. Societies impacted and utilized their environment by modifying landscapes for agriculture, managing natural resources, and adapting to climate changes, which is evident through the location of settlements, food remnants, and the types of tools used. Each of the supporting questions underscores the importance of archaeological and environmental evidence in piecing together the lives of ancient societies.
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About the inquiry
Compelling Question
Does culture or environment define indigenous society?
Staging Question
Collect and briefly discuss artifacts related to the culture and environment of teachers in your school.
What do we know about prehistoric Utah?
Formative TasksMake an inference about culture and environment in a RACES format short answer response.
SourcesSource A: Video: Secrets of the Lost Canyon , PBS
Source B: Article: Indigenous knowledge helps untangle the mystery of Mesa
How can artifacts help us to know more about indigenous society?
Formative TasksComplete a graphic organizer to analyze artifacts.
SourcesSource A: Anthropology professor to discuss Chaco jewelry finds
Source B: How Archaeologists Study the Past, from Natick Historical Society
Source C: Reading Rock Markings, National Park Service
How did indigenous societies impact and utilize their environment?
Formative TasksDevelop a claim using the photographed artifacts as evidence.
SourcesSource A: Guts and Grease: The Diet of Native Americans
Source B: Video: The Resiliency of Hopi Agriculture: 2000 Years of Planting
Source C: The Pueblo in Oral History
Summative Performance Task
Argument: Does culture or environment contribute more to an Indigenous society’s longevity? Develop an argument (i.e. essay, poster, etc.) with claims and evidence to support your response.
Extension: Expand their argument to focus on laws related to artifact protection on and off public lands.
Taking Informed Action
Understand:
Assess:
Act: Develop a Public Service Announcement to educate the public about how to protect and preserve artifacts found in Utah’s wild places.