Mesa Verde: Junior Ranger Booklet :: Ancestral Puebloan Life

Ancestral Puebloan Life

Activity for the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum.

Gentle Rain Gentle Rain: Mesa Verde National Park protects over 700 years of history about my people, the Ancestral Pueblo people. Throughout the museum, you will discover how we learned to adapt to our environment in order to meet our basic needs of food, water, and shelter.

Directions—Have fun as you explore the dioramas and exhibits to find the answers to the museum activity questions.

4-7

FOOD—3rd Diorama (Check or circle the right answer)

Look carefully around the diorama. What did the Ancestral Pueblo people (Modified Basketmakers) NOT eat?

Corn

Beans

Meat

Oranges

WATER—4th Diorama

Find the place where residents of this Mesa Verde pueblo got their water. What is it?

Faucet

Spring

River

Ocean

SHELTER—5th Diorama

Look for a circular room being built in the ground in front of the cliff dwelling. What is it?

Swimming Pool

Kiva

Trash Pit

DECORATE THE WATER JAR

Mesa Verde pottery is known for its beautiful designs. Draw your own design on the jar below. (If you want an example, see the pottery exhibits.)

Pottery jar

8-9

FOOD—Exhibit Area

Find a tool they used to plant corn. What is it?

(Hint: See “People of Corn” exhibit)

WATER—Exhibit Area

Find an item that women used to carry the water from the springs to their homes. What is it called?

(Hint: See “Beginning of Pottery” exhibit)

SHELTER—Exhibit Area

What is a kiva? How was it used?

FOOD FIND

Place an X over the plants and animals you find as you go through the museum exhibits.

10-up

FOOD, WATER, SHELTER—Exhibit Area

Use the clues below to complete the crossword puzzle. Begin in the exhibit room across from the dioramas.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Across:: 1. This crop was very important to the Ancestral Puebloans’ way of life. A part of this plant has been found in almost every room, kiva, and work area in Mesa Verde (Room 1); 2. Before the bow and arrow, this spear-throwing device was used to hunt large game. (Room 1); 3. This was the first type of house built in Mesa Verde. (Room 2)
Down:: 4. These small bowls with long handles were used for dipping and pouring liquids. (Room 3); 5. Scientists study wood beams used in the construction of a dwelling to learn when the structure was built. What is this science called? (Room 4); 6. The Ancestral Puebloans were good at conserving water in this dry climate. You can save water at home by turning this off while brushing your teeth.

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