Archaeologists dig into history
Archeology is the scientific study of past cultures. Archeologists find and study artifacts. Artifacts are objects that have been made, used, or changed in some way by humans. Archeologists usually find these artifacts by digging at excavation sites. Archeologists take these artifacts and develop theories that explain the way certain people lived. For example, if an archeologist finds an arrowhead at a digging site, the can conclude that the people who once lived in the area were hunters. Archeology helps people understand the past. The story of history is always changing based on new evidence that is found by archeologists! Most of what we know about the Native Americans of Virginia has come from archeological digs in Werowocomoco.
Wer0wocomoco (weh-ro-wo-com-o-co)
Werowocomoco was a large Native American village used by Indian leaders for several hundred years before the English settlers came. It was the headquarters of the leader Powhatan in 1607. At this location, the Powhatan and English settlers from Jamestown first met. In fact, Pocahontas is said to have saved Captain Smith at Werowocomoco! During the last decade, archeologists have located a 50-acre settlement with many artifacts and structures built around 1400! On the map below, you can see where Werowocomoco was located in Virginia. Click here to view the official website of the Werowocomoco Research Project . Here you will learn much more about the archeological site.
Watch the video below to learn even more about Werowocomoco!
Activity:
Why are archeologists important? What do archeologists do to help us discover the cultures and societies of the past? Include at least two vocabulary words from the web quest to help explain your answer.