How did Native Americans cut their hair before metal tools? (OER)
Channel: Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum -MDP-
Date: 2021-08-20

Imagine trying to cut your hair without metal tools. How would you do it? Join Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum's Educator Nate Salzman as he uses experimental archaeology to answer the question "How did Native Americans cut their hair before metal tools?" Focusing on the indigenous peoples of the eastern woodlands of the United States, Nate forms a hypothesis, researches it, revises it, and then tests it by seeing how well his tool actually cuts hair. His findings may surprise you!

If you're thinking of using this in a classroom (especially for 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade), connections to Maryland state learning standards can be found on OER Commons at https://www.oercommons.org/courses/experimental-archaeology

This resource is part of JPPM’s open educational resources project providing education content from our in-house educators, horticulturalists, curators, and conservationists at our 560 acre public park. The grounds have provided a home for different peoples for over 10,000 years and includes extensive archaeological sites, multiple ecosystems, and a 1930s farmstead designed by architect Gertrude Sawyer for the park’s namesake, Jefferson Patterson. This video and accompanying original materials are licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License.