Disappearing History: The Mound Builders of North America

Can you imagine a pyramid in the United States that is larger than any of those in Egypt? How about time in American history when a Native American settlement not only rivaled, but surpassed the size and breadth of London, England?  You might be laughing and thinking that this is some strange sort of lesson that will try to convince you that aliens built Stonehenge and the monoliths on Easter Island.  It's not.  Instead, this is a chance for you to explore and view the Adena, Hopewell, and Mississippian mound building cultures.  There is so much that we do not know about the people that built entire civilizations in and around earthen mounds.  What we do know is that the time to explore and try to solve some of the mysteries surrounding their lives--and their disappearance--is now.  Some sites are being destroyed by industry and others by neglect.  Museums, schools, and even parking lots now sit where once great people lived and ruled. Take a journey through this webquest and help keep the mound builders from disappearing again!

Before you even begin the webquest, take a few moments to reflect on Native American history and culture.  As an advanced, modern nation that is at the forefront of the Digital Revolution, should we continue to protect and study our nation's past?  It is worth putting hundreds of thousands--even millions--of dollars into preserving and protecting sites like the mounds of the Adena, Hopewell, and Mississippian cultures?  What is the payout for our nation in doing this? Begin an electronic journal in Word, Notepad, or another word processing format and write a paragraph or two about your thoughts and responses to the questions above.

Spend a few moments sharing your thoughts and discussing the questions below with your small group.  Remember to be an active listener and ask follow up questions.  Challenge your group members to think deeply about these questions and their implications. 

• If we are going to spend the money to protect and preserve the mounds, who is going to pay for it? 
  
• If so few Americans are aware of the mound building people and their culture, is it really that important to our nation's history?
• Doesn't our nation have a moral responsibility to respect burial grounds and religious sites?
• Is it ethical to destroy historical artifacts in the name of progress?

After your group wraps up their discussion, view the two videos below.  One video will supply you with a great overview of the mound building cultures.  The other video explores just one way that our nation now treats and views the mound building cultures of the Adena, Hopewell, and Mississippi.  Did the group discussion or either of the two videos change your viewpoint?  Is your perspective beginning to evolve and deepen or do you still see this issue the same way?  Take a few moments and add to your electronic journal.  Reflect on the importance you believe these groups may (or may not) have in American history and why we should (or should not) preserve their sites and artifacts.