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?
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What are the dates of conflict between the Corps of Discovery and the Arikara?
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What happened in 1990 about excavation and its prohibition?
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What was the career progress during this chapter?
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What was the job of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers?
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What was the first place that was excavated and why?
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What was important about the Sully site?
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Was Bass part of the excavation at Sully site?
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How are archaeological digs formatted?
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What insect helped find the Arikara remains?
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What animal was not beneficial to Bass's summer in South Dakota?
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What were Bass's beliefs?
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How did Bass's crew spot Arikara graves?
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What result ended up when there were so many Arikara graves in the Great Plains?
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What were the Arikara's common enemies?
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What happened in July 1966?
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Why did Bass never clash with the Natives in South Dakota?
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What was the nickname Bass was given in a newspaper interview with an Indian activist?
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Anthropologists can determine what three factors from studying bones?
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What was not found at the Sully site?
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Most Arikara died before what age?
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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.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
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.