Agate is a type of chalcedony with a banded appearance. Chalcedony is a type of quartz with a smooth, waxy texture. The bands of agate can be wavy or parallel, all dependant on how the minerals were deposited. Petrified wood is usually agatized as...
Games; Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Great Plains; Indians of North America -- Games; Nineteen thirties
For many cultures around the world, games were important to pass the time. Many Native American cultures had some form of this type of ring and pin game. Considered a woman’s game, the object is to catch the bone “rings” with the needle. The...
Pyrite is a type of iron ore. It is also known as "fool's gold" as it is easily mistaken for real gold. Crystals in the form of cubes are common, but may also occur as grains or in masses. Pyrite is an important source of sulfur, used to...
Think of an octopus or a squid that lives in a large, round shell and then you'll understand what a Chambered Nautilus is like. This creature has the ability to take water into a sac in its body, and then expel this water quickly, creating a cool...
This type of quartz is shaped like a crystal. It has a color variation ranging from smoky yellow to brown and black. Scotland is well know for its Smokey quartz, but this mineral can also be found in other places.
Indians of North America -- Dwellings; Woodland Indians
Long ago, before trade brought different goods and lifeways to this region, Native Peoples of the Woodland area made their homes, wiikiaami, from strong wood frames with natural coverings. This contemporary model was made from the traditional...
Indians of South America; Indians of South America --Social life and customs; Indians of South America --Amazon River Region; Masks; Brazil; Indian dance--South America
Known as a "Tapirape upe", or enemy warrior mask, this mask is decorated with the feathers of macaw and other parrots, as well as with freshwater mother-of-pearl shell, bone, wood, fiber and beeswax. These natural materials are found in...
Sundials; Time measurements; Nineteen hundreds (Decade)
What time is it? Without clouds, the sun and a sundial can help tell time. First developed about 3500 B.C., the sundial is the oldest type of timekeeping device. This early 1900s sundial marks the progress of the sun across its face. The shadow...
Akha (Asian people); Thailand; Women, Akha -- Social life and customs; Headgear; Hats; Women's hats
Hats of this style are worn by married women of the U Lo Akha peoples in Thailand. Originally from Tibet, the Akha now live in the mountains of China, Laos Myanmar (Burma) and northern Thailand. Like much of Akha attire, it is highly embellished...
Beetles belong to the largest order in the animal kingdom. These insects can be recognized by their armorlike wings, called elytra. Beetles are found almost everywhere and feed on all sorts of plant and animal material. They are known to eat...
Bees; Bees in art; Masks; Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America; Potlatch; Kwaguilth Indians; Kwaguilth Indians -- Social life and customs
Among tribes of the Northwest Coast, masks are worn during winter ceremonies (called "Potlatch"), a community event that hosts a series of songs, dances and rituals. During these ceremonies, masks are danced in ceremonial houses to...
Looks can be deceiving in the fossil record. While these early fossils may look like ancient seastars, they are actually a quite different animal. Scientists call these creatures bryozoan, or moss animals. These animals spent a quiet life in the...
Africa; Ghana; Ashanti (African people); Kente cloth; Kente cloth -- Ghana; Hand weaving; Handicraft -- Africa; Africa, Art
This cloth strip is very special. It was made in the Ghanaian village, Wonoo, world-renowned as one of the centers of manufacture for Asante kente cloth. This strip was purchased from a shop owned by Nana Asante-Frempong, one of many premiere...
India; Jewelry -- East Indian; Bracelets; Anklets (Ornaments)
India has a very rich history in ornate clothing and jewelry. When dressed in formal attire for special occasions, women are often covered from head to toe in all types of jewelry, including headdresses, hair ornaments, earrings, pendants, belts,...
Drum; Akan (African people); Akan (African people)--Ghana--Social life and customs; Ghana; Musical instruments; Percussion instruments
Certain African drums are called “talking drums.” Skilled drummers can create such a range of sound from them that it seems as if they can speak. This drum, called “atumpan,” is a type of talking drum used by the Akan peoples of Ghana. They...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Clothing; Clothing and dress; Oglala Indians; Oglala Indians -- Social life and customs; Footwear; Moccasins; Shoes
Moccasins are one type of traditional Native American footwear. Different types of moccasins were made for different climates and uses. Soft-sole moccasins were typically worn in Woodlands regions of the eastern United States where the ground was...
Ashanti (African people); Ashanti (African people) -- Kings and rulers; Ashanti (African people) -- Social life and customs; Ashanti (Kingdom); Shoes; Shoes -- History; Footwear
Traditionally, this type of sandal was worn by the leader of the Asante kingdom, the Asantehene, and by Asante chiefs. Among the Asante, and many African cultures, it is believed that rulers are so powerful and sacred that their feet should not...
Drum; Musical instruments; Musical instruments -- Korea; Percussion instruments; Dance; Folk dancing; Folk music -- Korea; Korea -- Rites and ceremonies; Korea--Social life and customs
This type of drum, called a sogo, is played by dancers while performing nong'ak, or instrumental folk music. The music is featured during village rites, shamanic rites, collective work sessions (such as weeding or planting) and as entertainment for...
Kenya; Masai (African people); Masai (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies; Masai (African people) -- Social life and customs; Headgear; Masai (African people) -- Clothing; Clothing and dress
Cattle are very important within the Masai culture of East Africa. The source of Masai livelihood, cattle are carefully protected. Because cattle raids with neighboring groups were once common, warriors hold a special place in Masai society....
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Clothing; Kiowa indians; Kiowa indians -- Clothing; Footwear; Moccasins; Clothing and dress
Moccasins are one type of traditional Native American footwear. Different types of moccasins were made for different climates and uses. Soft-sole moccasins were typically worn in Woodlands regions of the eastern United States where the ground was...
