Inferring Geological Environments from Cultural Artifacts Part 1: Cultural Halls at the American Museum of Natural History

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Inferring Geological Environments from Cultural Artifacts Part 1: Cultural Halls at the American Museum of Natural History"

Charity Lang
5 years ago
Views:

GEOL 640: Geology through Global Arts and Artifacts Inferring Geological Environments from Cultural Artifacts Part 1: Cultural Halls at the American Museum of Natural History People are reliant on

1 GEOL 640: Geology through Global Arts and Artifacts Inferring Geological Environments from Cultural Artifacts Part 1: Cultural Halls at the American Museum of Natural History People are reliant on their environment to provide the resources for their survival and the expression of their culture. Without broad trade people must use what is in their immediate environment. The bedrock and tectonic environment will determine whether particular rocks and minerals are present, including metals and their ores. The combination of bedrock geology and local environment will control the quality of soil. Local climate and soil characteristics will govern the character of agriculture and the availability of wood. Accordingly, the artifacts of pre-trade cultures can be used to infer characteristics of their home climate, tectonic setting, and bedrock geology, and so cultural exhibits can be used as a rich resource to synthesize earth science, anthropology, and art. Completing this museum-based assignment will provide you with practical experiences in forging cultural connections with earth science content, and integrating earth science with literacy and art activities. Where to Meet Assemble at the Rose Center entrance to the museum, which is located on 81 st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue (Figures 1 and 2). Note that the B line does not run on weekends. If traveling by MTA, you are advised to check for service changes (e.g., check recommended routes at If the weather is good, wait outside of the entrance so that the class does not hinder museum access to other visitors. If the weather is poor, pass through security and assemble along the railing that overlooks the Hayden Planetarium s Sphere. If you arrive late, go directly to the Margaret Mead Hall of Pacific Peoples on the third floor (Figure 2). Figure 1: Location of the American Museum of Natural History and the Nearest Subway Stations

3 Cultural Halls at the American Museum of Natural History American Museum of Natural History's Division of Anthropology curate an extensive collection of cultural artifacts amassed, and display many of these artifacts in a series of seven exhibition halls that explores the traditional cultures of North America (Northwest Coast Indians, Eastern Woodlands Indians, Plains Indians), Mexico and Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The Margaret Mead Hall of Pacific Peoples is subdivided into six sections based upon cultural and geographic similarities across the south Pacific: Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia (Fig 3). As a class, you will spend an hour compiling an inventory of materials used in each of these six regions, and a half hour analyzing the results. After a class discussion of the patterns of distribution of materials, and the geological interpretations that can be constructed based on these artifacts, you will analyze a second cultural hall in small groups. Your instructor will assign half of the class to investigate the Hall of Northwest Coast Indians, and the other half to investigate the Hall of Mexico and Central America. Groups will report out to the class before leaving the museum. Preparatory Questions What materials are required to make paint? What kind of rocks would tend to produce common pigments? What geological processes form soils? Which kind of rock would make better soils? Limestone / Silicate Rocks In which climate do soils form faster? Arid / Wet What materials are required to make ceramics? What material would make a better tool or weapon? Bone / Stone / Metal

4 The Margaret Mead Hall of Pacific Peoples (1.5 Hours) Australia: On what is paint used: What objects are made of wood: What objects are made of ceramic: What metals are used? Most common type of landmass: Continent / Large Island / Small Island

5 Indonesia: On what is paint used?: What objects are made of wood?: What objects are made of ceramic: What metals are used? Most common type of landmass: Continent / Large Island / Small Island

6 Philippines: On what is paint used?: What objects are made of wood: What objects are made of ceramic?: What metals are used? Most common type of landmass: Continent / Large Island / Small Island

7 Melanesia: On what is paint used: What objects are made of wood?: What objects are made of ceramic?: What metals are used? Most common type of landmass: Continent / Large Island / Small Island

8 Micronesia: On what is paint used?: What objects are made of wood?: What objects are made of ceramic?: What metals are used? Most common type of landmass: Continent / Large Island / Small Island

9 Polynesia (Except New Zealand): On what is paint used?: What objects are made of wood?: What objects are made of ceramic?: What metals are used? Most common type of landmass: Continent / Large Island / Small Island

10 New Zealand: On what is paint used?: What objects are made of wood?: What objects are made of ceramic?: What metals are used? Most common type of landmass: Continent / Large Island / Small Island

11 Based on the materials found in each of the following regions, what can you conclude about the geological environment, bedrock, and climate? What is the evidence? The class will discuss their conclusions. Australia: Indonesia: Philippines: Melanesia: Micronesia: Polynesia:

12 Figure 3: Regions of the South Pacific, as Defined in the Hall of Pacific Peoples

13 Examine the map of tectonic plates of the southern Pacific (Fig. 4). How does the distribution of metal and stone compare to the location of plate boundaries? Why might this be the case? Figure 4. Tectonic Plates of the southern Pacific

14 Additional Cultural Hall to Study (1 Hour) To which hall have you been assigned: On what is paint used?: What objects are made of wood?: What objects are made of ceramic?: What metals are used?

15 Based on the materials found in your assigned hall, what can you conclude about the geological environment, bedrock, and climate? What is the evidence? Your group will present its findings to the class before leaving the museum.

TEACHER MATERIALS BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 4.1 ACTIVITY BIOGRAPHY OF A CONTINENT. Purpose

TEACHER MATERIALS BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 4.1 ACTIVITY BIOGRAPHY OF A CONTINENT. Purpose TEACHER MATERIALS Purpose The early Earth was an inhospitable place. It wasn t until the start of the Archaean eon, almost 700 million years after the Earth was created, that rocks formed, which made possible