INDIAN WAYS STUDIED AT ARCHAEOLOGY DAYS

Scraping hides, making stone tools and grinding corn might not sound like fun, but once upon a time it was a way of life for Native Americans. About 35 students experienced that way of life for fun as part of Kids Archaeology Day Saturday at Southeast Missouri State University.

The hands-on day of anthropological activities was provided as part of the university's celebration of Missouri Archaeology Month. Students ages 7 to 12 enjoyed the day of indoor activities and experimented with a number of chores performed daily by Native Americans in the past.

"We've provided Native American crafts for the kids to try their hands at, and all of them seem to have enjoyed them," said Southeast adjunct faculty member and professional archaeologist Jean Stephens. "Even our parents and our college students, who just learned the crafts this morning, seem to really be getting into the crafts."

Several university students were on hand to assist younger students with the activities. Lee Raines, a historical-preservation major, said the program benefited students because they received a realistic view of how Native Americans lived. Their lives weren't easy, she said, and by performing some of their chores the younger students can better understand their way of life.

"I think this gives them a more realistic view of Native American lifeways," she said. "They'll have a better understanding of how people had to make their food and tools."

Stephens said the younger students seemed to prefer making pottery and experimenting with face- and hide-painting using authentic designs. Other crafts available included making stone tools using the flint knapping technique, drilling holes in rocks, and scraping fur from rabbit hides, she said.

"We're trying to keep everything very natural and we're using everything we make," she said. "For example, we saved the shavings from when we drilled holes to make pigment for the hide painting."

Dustin York, 11, visited the museum with his grandmother, Vicki Thompson, and his mother, Cami York. The two women home-school Dustin, who is studying a unit on archaeology.

"Doing home school, we don't have the equipment that public schools have, so this gives us the chance to learn right along with him," Thompson said. "He's seeing and learning with his eyes and hands."