Death's Acre Chapter 2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What river does Bass talk positively about, even though the Mississippi River had its own famous reputation?

Missouri River

What was the first encounter here?

The Corps of Discovery involving Lewis and Clark and the Arikara and Mandans

The Arikara in the 1700s was part of what four major tribes in the northern Plains of the Great Plains?

The Sioux, Mandans, Hidatsa, and Arikara

What tribes did Lewis and Clark try to unite?

The Arikara, Mandans with the U.S. government against the Sioux Signup and view all the answers

What are the dates of conflict between the Corps of Discovery and the Arikara?

1806 and 1809 to the point of extinction Signup and view all the answers

What happened in 1990 about excavation and its prohibition?

A law that forbade the collection of Native American remains and required their return if they came from a living tribe. Signup and view all the answers

What was the career progress during this chapter?

Bass pursued more of his career in anthropology by finishing a master's degree at the University of Kentucky. Signup and view all the answers

What was the job of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers?

Their job was to prevent flood-prone rivers from inundating. Signup and view all the answers

What was the first place that was excavated and why?

The Sully site that has been around 1600 A.D. but ended around 1750 A.D. because it was the first to be submerged. Signup and view all the answers

What was important about the Sully site?

The falling or burnt lodges created depressions that collected rainwater, indicating people lived in this area. Signup and view all the answers

Was Bass part of the excavation at Sully site?

True Signup and view all the answers

How are archaeological digs formatted?

Based on five foot square patterns each labeled with a number. Signup and view all the answers

What insect helped find the Arikara remains?

Ants of South Dakota Signup and view all the answers

What animal was not beneficial to Bass's summer in South Dakota?

Prairie rattlers Signup and view all the answers

What were Bass's beliefs?

Power over speed and caution Signup and view all the answers

How did Bass's crew spot Arikara graves?

They spotted Arikara graves due to the darker and fluffier looking soil. Signup and view all the answers

What result ended up when there were so many Arikara graves in the Great Plains?

They rented a house to stay in and asked the National Science Foundation to rent power equipment to excavate. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Arikara's common enemies?

The Sioux and Lewis and Clark Signup and view all the answers

What happened in July 1966?

The water level was rising, erasing the excavations of the Arikara graves from Lake Oahe. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Bass never clash with the Natives in South Dakota?

His wife, Ann, improved the nutrition for the Sioux Indians. Signup and view all the answers

What was the nickname Bass was given in a newspaper interview with an Indian activist?

"Indian grave-robber number one" Signup and view all the answers

Anthropologists can determine what three factors from studying bones?

Size, strength, and diet Signup and view all the answers

What was not found at the Sully site?

Bullets Signup and view all the answers

Most Arikara died before what age?

Before age 6 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Missouri River and Historical Context

Bass highlights the Missouri River's significance, contrasting its positive portrayal with the famous reputation of the Mississippi River.
The Corps of Discovery, led by Lewis and Clark, represents the first encounter with the Arikara and Mandan tribes.

Native Tribes and Relations

The Arikara were one of the four major tribes in the Northern Plains, alongside the Sioux, Mandans, and Hidatsa.
Lewis and Clark aimed to unite the Arikara and Mandans with the U.S. government against the Sioux.
Conflicts between the Corps of Discovery and the Arikara occurred between 1806 and 1809, significantly affecting the tribe's population.

Legal and Ethical Issues

In 1990, a law was enacted prohibiting the collection of Native American remains unless returned to living tribes, affecting archaeological excavations.
Despite this, significant insights regarding early inhabitants emerged from these remains over time.

Career Development and Archaeological Work

Bass advanced his anthropology career with a master's degree from the University of Kentucky after completing undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia while still pursuing counseling courses.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers worked to mitigate flood risks, enabling archaeological excavations of Arikara remains by damming rivers including sections from the Mississippi to the Oahe Dam.

Excavations and Findings

The Sully site, excavated due to imminent submersion, dates back to around 1600 A.D. and offers crucial insights into the Arikara way of life from 1750 A.D.
Evidence of habitation includes depressions from fallen lodges, rainwater collection, and graves arranged carefully due to space constraints.
Bass played an active role in excavations starting in the summer of 1957, under Dr. Stephenson's guidance.
Excavations followed a structured five-foot square grid pattern for organization and documentation.

Environmental Factors and Challenges

Ants were instrumental in locating Arikara remains, while prairie rattlesnakes posed threats during excavations.
Graves were identified by noticing darker, fluffier soil in the area, revealing burial sites.
The high number of Arikara graves led the team to rent equipment for a large-scale excavation, yielding a rich collection of skeletal remains for study.

Historical Conflicts

The Sioux and encounters with Lewis and Clark were common adversaries for the Arikara, notably leading to conflicts around 1800.
A significant defeat occurred on August 14, 1823, when Colonel Henry Leavenworth and the Sioux expelled the Arikara from their villages.

Archaeological and Anthropological Insights

By July 1966, rising water levels threatened the excavation sites at Lake Oahe, erasing important findings.
Bass maintained peaceful interactions with Native Americans, partly because his wife, Ann, improved nutrition for the Sioux.
He was humorously dubbed "Indian grave-robber number one" in a newspaper interview by an activist.

Anthropological Discoveries

Anthropologists study bones to infer size, strength, and diet, providing insights into the lives of historical peoples.
Notably, no bullets were found at the Sully site, and most Arikara individuals did not survive past the age of six, indicating harsh living conditions.

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Test your knowledge of key concepts from Chapter 2 of 'Death's Acre', focusing on the Missouri River, Lewis and Clark's expedition, and the Arikara tribe. These flashcards are designed to help you review important historical details and enhance your understanding of the American Plains tribes. Challenge yourself and see how well you remember the significant events and figures discussed in this chapter.