Ocmulgee National Park Service

National Monument U.S. Department of Interior

JUNIOR RANGER ACTIVITY BOOK AGES 7 & UP

Explorer’s Name

________________

ArchaeologyWe learn about the past in many different ways. Archaeologists learn about past

human lives and cultures by uncovering, recovering and examining artifacts, which is any object made or changed by a human culture. Examples of artifacts are tools, pottery, and structures. Here are some interesting finds at the Ocmulgee Mounds.

Using the clues and what you’ve learned from the museum tell the name of the artifact, who it was used by, and how it was used.

Draw an artifact you saw on display.

Discovery!This artifact was found behind the earth lodge. It has been

dated back to around 10,000 years ago.Name _______________________________________Who used it? _________________________________How was it used?______________________________

Discovery!This structure is circular and subterranean. The clay floor

seats about 50 people.Name _______________________________________Who used it? _________________________________How was it used?______________________________

Discovery!Name _________________________________Who used it? _________________________________How was it used?______________________________________

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WHAT BELONGS IN THE MOUND?While you EXPLORE the monument, LEARN about the mounds and the artifacts that were buried in them. Find and put an X on seven things that do not belong in the mounds.

pottery

camerashell gorget

boot

ranger hatstick and ball

arrowhead

canduct tape

shell

tire

When archaeologists study artifacts of people who lived before, they usually discover the deeper an object is in the ground the older it is. But not always! Using the diagram and key below match the time period of each soil section with the artifact found in the ground.

0-10 years10-200 years200-800 years800-1500 years

1500-8000 years

8000+ years

Artifact Time Period

tire _______years agoClovis point _______years agopottery _______years agoshovel _______years agobone awl _______years agoelectronic device _______years ago bottle _______years agoSpanish sword _______years ago

Multiple ChoiceSelect the correct answer on how the Mississippian Culture lived

1) What type of houses did the Mississippians live in?A. TipiB. Long houseC. Wattle and DaubD. Cliff dwelling

2) What games did they play?A. BaseballB. StickballC. Chucky D. Stickball and chucky

3) How did they get their food?A. Hunted B) Gathered C) Shopped onlineD) Hunted, Gathered, and gardened

4) Where did they go to school?A. They did not go to schoolB) Mississippian High SchoolC) Deer Park Elementary SchoolD) Beaver Middle School

5) What chores did girls have to do?A) Gardening B) Make potteryC) Vacuum the floor of the houseD) Gardening, make pottery

6) What chores did the boys have to do?A) Go huntingB) Make arrowheads and toolsC) Wash their patents’ carD) Go hunting, make and arrowheads and tools

Chunky Stone Maze

Help the stick get into the center of the chunky stone.

FINISHSTART

This Certifies that

____________________________________________Is an official Junior Ranger at Ocmulgee National Monument

_________________ ____________ Park Official Date