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Teacher's Guide to Geology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter

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Teacher's Guide to Geology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter Teacher’s Guide to Geology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter A Component of First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter Page 0 of 19 First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter Teacher’s Guide to Geology Contents Why Geology in First Peoples? ..................................................................................................................... 2 Teaching Geology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter .......................................................................................... 3 Intersection of Geology Theme with Disciplines ...................................................................................... 3 Geology GigaPan Inquiry .......................................................................................................................... 4 Major Terms and Concepts ...................................................................................................................... 5 Geology of the Meadowcroft Rockshelter and the Cross Creek Drainage ................................................... 6 Geography, Geologic Origins, and Physiography ..................................................................................... 6 Formation of Meadowcroft Stratigraphy ............................................................................................... 10 Tables ......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Ancient Geological Activity at Meadowcroft Rockshelter ...................................................................... 14 Pleistocene Geological Activity in the Cross Creek Drainage: Formation of the Meadowcroft Rockshelter ............................................................................................................................................. 15 Stratigraphic Profile of Meadowcroft Rockshelter ................................................................................. 17 Geologic Time as Related to Meadowcroft ............................................................................................ 18 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................... 19 Page 1 of 19 First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter Teacher’s Guide to Geology Why Geology in First Peoples? When a visitor stands in the parking lot facing Meadowcroft Rockshelter, their first observations are usually one of two things: the looming sandstone cliff that contains the Rockshelter and towers over the landscape, or the steep incline of the slope leading up to the excavation enclosure (which they know they must ascend – nearly 70 steps – it’s a long way up). Here they are, standing at the feet of one of the most significant prehistoric archaeological sites in North America, and their first intake is over rocks. Something about those rocks just calls people to investigate the space. Today’s visitors need not be embarrassed about their reaction; for thousands of years people shared the desire to climb the slope (or the steps if they arrived any time after 2008). Albert Miller, the farmer who discovered the first archaeological evidence at the site, and Dr. Adovasio, the principle investigator of the famous archaeological excavation, both commented on the geologic setting before they knew the archaeological significance. In fact, when Dr. Adovasio first encountered Meadowcroft Rockshelter in 1973, the floor of the site was littered with garbage and charcoal from recent campfires. The site was clearly an attractive hangout for local teens. Just a few inches below the 1973 campfire was another firepit, this time associated with colonial-era glass, and just below that yet another fire site associated with flint projectile points. What is the magnetic quality of the rocks at Meadowcroft? At the most basic, perhaps it is the suggestion of protection: the overhanging rocks and the surrounding cliff embrace the landscape, while the elevation holds the advantage over the surrounding landscape. The rock formation also offers southern exposure (warmth), cross winds for ventilation, and proximity to water but high outside of the flood zone, features that promise, if not comfort, conveniences, particularly for prehistoric visitors. The magnetic aura is the Rockshelter itself. In archaeology, closed- sites like rockshelters or caves are often predictable sites for cultural evidence. Once discovered, sites such as Meadowcroft, become part of the marked landscape, drawing humans repeatedly as long as the Rockshelter exists. Thus, geology is a natural theme for inclusion in the First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter curriculum. Students are not immune to the attraction to the rocks at Meadowcroft, and their casual observations generate many conversations. They often ask how old the Rockshelter is, why the rocks are pockmarked, and, most frequently is it going to fall on us? These questions can all be answered through geology. Page 2 of 19 First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter Teacher’s Guide to Geology Teaching Geology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter The excavation at Meadowcroft used geoarchaeological methods to inform the process of archaeology. Using the Geology GigaPan image activity guide and the resources in this curriculum guide, students will gain an appreciation for the multi-disciplinary approach and will understand how a geologic formation witnessed 16,000 years of human activity. Intersection of Geology Theme with Disciplines The table below summarizes how the Geology theme of the First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter curriculum can be used to explore various academic disciplines. First Major Disciplines addressed in First Peoples Peoples Theme Science History Environment and Geography Technology and Ecology Engineering Geology Natural Throughout 16,000 The geologic Topography Lithic (stone) tools stratigraphy years, geology has processes that influenced how were the explains the served as the created the Cross prehistoric backbone of the evolution of the foundation for all creek drainage peoples moved Paleo- toolkit. Rockshelter over human activity at impacted the flow through the Coal extraction in time. Physical the site. At the of water landscape. the 20th century features suggest most basic, the throughout the In the 20th and and natural gas the origins of the rocks around watershed. The 21st centuries, extraction today landscape. Meadowcroft slope of the land energy extraction are major anchor all aspects and proximity to resulted in drastic industries. of the landscape water dictate the human alteration from which ecology of the to the landscape. humans meet their watershed. basic needs. Page 3 of 19 First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter Teacher’s Guide to Geology Geology GigaPan Inquiry The First Peoples Geology GigaPan inquiry addresses the following points of inquiry with students. Objectives Grade Indicators of Mastery Students will . Bands Students will be able to . • Define, describe, analyze, and 11th -12th • Analyze the use of geomorphology in the evaluate the use of Grade Meadowcroft Project geomorphology at • Explain the role of stratigraphy in relative dating Meadowcroft Rockshelter • Analyze the lifecycle of Meadowcroft Rockshelter; describe the geologic processes involved • Identify, describe or evaluate • Analyze the benefits of using stratigraphic how stratigraphy and the Law principles to excavate an archaeological site of Superposition can be used to • Evaluate the use of a geoarchaeological approach date geologic features at Meadowcroft 8th- 10th • Describe how geomorphology contributes to • Explain the geological processes Grade archaeology at Meadowcroft that formed Meadowcroft • Describe how stratigraphy and the Law of Rockshelter; Describe the Superposition can be used to discuss chronology lifecycle of a rockshelter • Explain the geologic processes that created Meadowcroft Rockshelter • Identify, define, explain or • Explain how Meadowcroft’s stratigraphy formed analyze the geological • Evaluate the use of a geoarchaeological approach processes that formed the at Meadowcroft stratigraphy inside the th th Rockshelter 5 -7 • Define geomorphology and give an example of Grade how it informs the excavation of sites • Define geoarchaeology and • Describe how geologists use the Law of explain how the study of Superposition and stratigraphy to date geologic Meadowcroft Rockshelter features benefitted from this multi- • Explain how Meadowcroft Rockshelter formed disciplinary approach • Explain how the stratigraphy formed; identify erosion as a source for sediment • Explain how geoarchaeology is multi-disciplinary • K- 4th • Recognize that archaeologists need to Grade understand how excavation sites formed • Recognize that stratigraphy examines layers; describe chronology: deeper is older • Recognize that geological processes created the rockshelter • Recognize that the stratigraphy is made up of sediments deposited by erosion • Recognize that archaeologists used geology to understand the excavation site Page 4 of 19 First Peoples: Archaeology at Meadowcroft Rockshelter Teacher’s Guide to Geology Major Terms and Concepts Scattered throughout the curriculum guide and GigaPan exploration are terms highlighted in bold. These include key vocabulary terms, concepts, and items of significance. Teachers can incorporate the terms in vocabulary and spelling lists Terms
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