Buried Secrets

There were no clouds in the bright sky. The only sound was the whispering of the wind as it gently blew sand across the tall mesa. Annie Lomakema and her parents wore wide brimmed hats to protect them from the sun’s burning rays. The three archeologists were hard at work. Over and over, Annie’s mother carefully loosened dirt with her trowel and scooped it into the pail.

Her whisper broke the silence, “Hand me the brush, Annie. I think I’ve found something.” Her mother gently brushed dirt away from three blue beads and a piece of pottery. They had been left by the Hopi many years ago. “Let’s screen this pail of dirt,” said Annie’s mother. “We don’t want to miss anything.” Annie’s father poured the dirt onto the screen. As Annie skillfully pushed the dirt through with her trowel, she spotted another blue bead. She touched it, feeling its smooth, warm surface.

“ A Hopi girl who lived here long ago may have worn these blue beads and used this bowl for corn,” said Annie’s mother. “I wish I knew more about our Hopi ancestors,” said Annie. “Tonight, when we’re finished I am going to tell you about them and some other people, too.”

That night as they sat around the campfire, she began her story. “Long ago the people who lived in America belonged to tribes. A tribe shared the same customs, beliefs, and language. The tribes were very different from one another. They lived in different places and used different things around them for food, clothes, and homes. Some tribes lived in forests. Some lived near the ocean. Some lived in dry desert country.

Our Hopi ancestors lived here on the mesas. They used the stone and clay that they found nearby to build homes called pueblos. There was only one narrow path leading up to the mesas. The Hopi could see anyone climbing the path, so the mesa was easy to protect. The women planted squash, peppers, and corn. There wasn’t always enough rain for the crops. When that happened, the men danced in ceremonies to ask for rain.”

“ Other tribes, like the Iroquois, lived in the forests. They used bark to make their homes, called longhouses and to make canoes. The men hunted deer, rabbits, and wild birds for food. They fished in nearby rivers and lakes. The women helped them plant the gardens. Corn was their most important food. They had over fifty ways to cook it. They wore clothes and moccasins made of soft deerskin. They made tools from the bones of the deer.”

“ The Dakota lived on the plains. They moved often as they followed the buffalo herds. They didn’t have time to plant crops and wait for them to grow. They hunted the buffalo for food and used its fur for warm winter coats, blankets, and boots. They also used buffalo skins to make the covering for their homes, called tepees. Every time the tribe moved to follow the buffalo herds, the women took down the teepees. When they reached their new campsite, they put them up again.”

“The Haida lived in a forest near the ocean. They made the big wooden houses from the tall trees that grew nearby. There were plenty of animals to hunt and fish to catch. They didn’t need to plant gardens, because many wild fruits and berries grew in the forest. The Haida enjoyed many feasts and parties. They had time to become excellent artists and wood carvers.”

The campfire was almost out as Annie’s mother finished her story. Annie crawled into her sleeping bag. She thought about the four tribes and their ways of life. “The tribes were so different from one another,” said Annie. “Yes,” said her mother. “And there are many, many more to learn about. But we’ll leave that for another night and another campfire.” The fire slowly turned to ashes and the three archeologists fell asleep. Annie dreamed of the Hopi girl who lived on the mesa long ago. The girl wore four blue beads around her neck. She might have even been Annie’s great-great-great- grandmother.