3-A-O
Despite what you may believe Gold is actually a very soft and malleable metal. Even though it is shiny and catch's the eye this metal has been the reason for lot's of violence over the world. In our eyes we see gold as valuable, more valuable than steel which is stronger and more durable. Also because of how rare it is, this soft metal can be worth millions to the right person. -H. McEwen
1-B-O
Pictured are eight specimens of the Sikhote-Alin meteorite, which impacted Russia on February 12, 1947, at the coordinates (46° 9' 36"N, 134° 39' 12"E). These specimens are of a "shrapnel" type, meaning that the fragments were formed from a violent impact or explosion. This type is characterized by sharp, jutting edges and tortuous contours. The other type is known as a "thumbprint" type, which is characterized by many small, round indentations, or "thumbprints". These are formed when the superheated fragments of metal are affected as they fall through the atmosphere. -Z. McMurry
6-A-O
The Buddy 'L' Tank line trucks is one of the most famous produced toy vehicles ever. This fun line of trucks was created by Fred Lundahl. He originally named and created them for his son, but his creativity intrigued others. Throughout the 1920's his realistic trucks became a huge hit, but after 5 years came to an end when Lundahl passed away. -G. Pirtle
6-A-O
This statue is a symbol for Siddharta Guatama, who was born 2,600 years ago. He was born a prince, but realized that his living conditions could not provide lasting happiness or protection from suffering. So he began a long spiritual search to find the nature of mind. He began meditating, and achieved the state of enlightenment and lasting happiness. He then taught everyone who was interested his secret to a happy life. -G. Pirtle
5-A-I
This saddle comes from the Sahara desert and dates from the 1800's. It is partially made of wood and leather.
6-A-O
The Malleable Iron Range Company was a popular company that produced kitchen products such as this grandma old cook stove. The company began in 1896 and continued to manufacture kitchen products until 1985. Although pricey, these stoves sold very well because of their quality and easy use compared to other stoves during that time. -G. Pirtle
6-A-O (ENTRY)
Hornet nest are made with a paper substance from saliva and wood pulp. The queen hornet begins the building of the nest in order to lay her eggs. She lays one egg at a time in each cell and then builds her way out. Once winter hits, the hornets die and the nest is never used again. -G. Pirtle
6-A-O
Drying fruit is one of the earliest ways humans began preserving foods. Drying fruit goes back as far as 1700 BC, and since then has been a common tradition among generations. Dehydrated fruit preserves the fruit, while still maintaining the nutrients and sweetness. Baskets such as this one, are common among drying and holding fruit. -G. Pirtle
5-C-O
The Aleut made their baskets out of a variety of things like, grass, silk embroidery threading, yarn, and spruce root. Some Inuit made their baskets from baleen. Grass for baskets is gathered in the summer on coastal hillsides; the weaver bundles, ages, sorts, dries, and splits the stems to prepare them. At least eight weaving patterns are historically known.
6-B-O
Ancient Eskimo adze is a tool made out of ivory, bone, drift wood, and walrus penis bone. It is shaped like an axe, and dates all the way back to the stone age. Many adze's are used for smoothing and carving wood in woodworking. -G. Pirtle
3-C-O
A metate or metlatl (or mealing stone) is a type or variety of quern, a ground stone tool used for processing grain and seeds. In traditional Mesoamerican culture, metates were typically used by women who would grind lime-treated maize and other organic materials during food preparation, such as making tortillas. Similar artifacts are found all over the world, including China.
-J. Del Toro
4-C-I
The tools where made out of stone, bone, wood, and hair. The most common tools were arrowheads, axes, and knives. Each culture did it different.
A. Blackwell-Besse
1-A-I
The Nazca Culture was the archaeological culture that flourished from about 200 BC to 600 AD. Located around the southern coast of Peru, in the river valleys. The Nazca were known for using extremely complex textiles. They produced crafts and technologies such as ceramics, textiles and geoglyphs. They also built built systems of underground aqueducts! - C. Boettcher
5-C-I
The Inca empire was located in Peru, Bolivia Ecuador and Southern Colombia, and lasted from 1430 to 1533 AD. The Incan government controled all clothing of their society. One would recieve two outfits of clothing, one formal and one casual pair and they would wear these outfits uptil they were worn out. A person of importance would wear a special tunic but also a llwat'u, a series of cords wrapped around the head. The leader of each ayllu, or extended family had its own headdress. - J. Manderscheid
5-C-I
These old peruvian textile fragments of the Chancay culture, were made from 1100 to 1350 AD, before the rise of the Inca empire. The Chancey were a pre-Columbian archeological civilization on the central coast of Peru. The most well known Chancay artefacts are the textiles, a variety of techniques, colors and themes were used. Many Chancay textiles are still around today and it is believed that their production was quite extensive. - J.Manderscheid
5-A-O
The Yanomami are a Native American tribe in the Amazon in Brazil and Venezuela.Yanomami means human in their language. They are one of the most numerous and best known, forest-dwelling tribes in South America. Using small strings of bark and roots, yanomami women weave and decorate baskets. -J. Manderscheid
5-A-O
This is similar to a Taos Pueblo cooking pot, constructed of local micaceous clay and devoid of decoration. It has been smudged black from use. It comes from New Mexico.
6-B-I
Theses are arrowheads turned into unique pictures that depict their culture. The Fremont culture lived throughout Idaho and Utah, and they were known to be hunters/gatherers. In order to hunt made their own arrowheads. Arrowheads are made out of a hard stone, such as flint, and then sharpened to a fine point. -G. Pirtle
6-B-I
This beautiful and detail-oriented piece is an African outfit that is over one-hundred years old. It comes with a mask and gown. The head chief wore it when he sat on the throne and held court. It has millions of little beads covering it, and is a very unique piece. -G. Pirtle
5-C-I
This traditional Chilean straw hat was worn by horsemen. Today it is worn by many people in rural areas in Central Chile. It is often worn during the cueca dance, a Chilean folk dance, and during Chilean rodeos. The name comes from achupalla, a local name given to a bromelia plant that was used to make these hats.Today chupallas are made of all kinds of straw including rice and wheat. The Chilean phrase "por la chupalla" loosely translated means "what the heck".
6-C-I
The Nez Perce Tribe, also known as the Plateau Indians, was spread across Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Montana. When Lewis and Clark came to America, they sought out the Nez Perce Tribe and made friends with them. In return the tribe previewed Lewis and Clark's voyage they were about to take, and let them stay on their land. - G. Pirtle
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen to see it!
This old artifact is another sneak peek into Mr. Olsen's other building! This is a Peruvian textile poncho and woven belt from Dry Cave in Cuzco, Peru. It is approximately 1850 years old. It had been sealed in the cave 300 years before Columbus discovered America. These textiles were used to wrap up mummies in layers. -G. Pirtle
1-A-O
A fish trap is used for catching fish. Fish traps can come in many shapes and sizes, depending on what you are trying to capture. Some fish nets are also called fish traps. A fish trap is like a “one way,” meaning when they enter the opening the cannot get out. Nowadays, fish traps are made from metal and chicken wire. However, in earlier times, traps were constructed of wood and other natural resources. -C. Boettcher
Building 2- Contact Mr. Olsen to see it!
Ancient raincoats have been around for centuries. Throughout time they have gone through many evolving changes, at first they were made out of straw and called "straw rain capes." They were used by many, but especially farmers and fishermen. These ancient raincoats were described in many poems and articles in many dynasties. -G. Pirtle
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen to see it!
This little outfit was worn by a little native girl way back in the day. You don't know much about it, but you can let your imagination take you for a ride. At one point in time it could've been a little girls favorite outfit. It could've been right there with her as she climbed trees, talked to her family, and ate her favorite meals. It was a walking piece of history. -G. Pirtle
6-A-O
Dashing through the snow.. In a one horse open sleigh.. Yeah that's right, the famous open sleigh from the song "Jingle Bells" is right here at the Mammoth Museum! So come on over and visit Santa's old classic ride! This classic artifact was used to be pulled my horses or reindeer, whichever you prefer! -G. Pirtle
6-B-I
The Navajo Indian Tribe is the largest Indian tribe in the United States. They are very spiritual, and base their lives on the belief that the spiritual world and physical world blend together. They believe that everything on he earth is alive, and is their relative. They don't believe in talking about death, and they worship the nature such as the winds, sun, and watercourses. -G. Pirtle
5-A-O
Antique stone vessel that was hand carved out of solid basalt. These vessels were used to cook in underground pits.
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen if you want!
Neolithic grinding stones were the iPhone of the New Stone Age Era. They were an advanced and very hot product everyone wanted to get their hands on! It uses were to grind crops and other materials such as grains, nuts, and other vegetables! The stones were found by a dry lake bed in the Sahara Desert. -G. Pirtle
Building 2- Contact Mr. Olsen to see!
This corn husk bag is from the 1880's! This soft twined bag was essential for the Nez Perce culture to hunt, travel, gather food, or pick berries. These bags took a lot of time to design and make, so they were considered prized possessions. They would be passed down from generation to generation. -G. Pirtle
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen to see!
Cradle boards were one of the most costly items to produce and buy, they were also very difficult to make. Most children spent the majority of their first two years of life in one. While they were in one they were swaddled in cloth, laid on a soft cushion, and binded securely. Binding them, kept their hands and legs from moving around and also made them feel like they were getting a soft hug. With the baby safely secured, family members had time to do important activities such as chores, gathering, hunting, and cooking. -G. Pirtle
Section 2-A-O
This pioneer yoke was likely hand-carved and tailored specifically for one draft team. Albeit technologically antiquated, yokes continue to be utilized to this day. They are an easy, effective, and economical way to harness the locomotive energy of oxen. Beginning as calves, working steers undergo four years of yoke training before they become "strong as an ox." -- T. Jeske
Bos taurus
Section 2-A-O
When equally yoked, these specialized cattle can pull over twice their combined body weight. Comparing oxen versus draft horses, slow and steady wins the race. Their slower pace is counterbalanced on rough or muddy areas by strength and endurance far superior to that of the horse. -- T. Jeske
Section 2-C-I
Like a horse, an ox can also wear shoes to protect its hooves from wear and to improve traction. Unlike the horse, an ox has a cloven hoof that requires two shoes per hoof. Because the ox is less apt to balancing on three feet for very long, a sling can be employed to steady the animal while the Ferrier fits its 8 shoes. -- T. Jeske
5-A-O
Often used to scrape hides of buffalo or deer. The inside of hides would often still have muscle and connective tissue attached that needed to be removed because it would rot otherwise.
5-B-I
This humpbacked flute player is a fertility deity, venerated by some native american cultures in the southern United States. Like many fertility deities he watches over childbirth and agriculture, music and is also a trickster. Kokopelli has been revered since the ancient pueblo people and is still a part of Hopi culture.
1-A-I
Have you ever seen an alligator purse? Animal skins are treated with chemicals to preserve them and then are suitable for the use of footwear, clothing, handbags, furniture, and tools! The process of preserving the hides is a chemical treatment known as tanning. Surprisingly, alligator hide is one of the more common leathers to make accessories out of! -C. Boettcher
1-A-I
Buddha is the title for someone who has achieved great achievements. However, the title is most commonly used for Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.The Buddha founded an order of monks and nuns, who still preserve his teachings in present day. Buddhism is an extensive emotional, diverse tradition with two main branches. Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world, with 360 million followers. -C. Boettcher
6-A-O
6-C-O
3-C-O
Arrowhead is a tip, usually sharpened, added to an arrow to make it more deadly or to fulfill some special purpose. The earliest arrowheads were made of stone and of organic materials; as human civilization progressed other materials were used. In the Stone Age, people used sharpened bone, flintknapped stones, flakes, and chips of rock as weapons and tools.
-J. Del Toro
Arrowheads can be made from flint, chert, obsidian, jasper, quartzite, and other types of stones that are brittle and have fine grained. An Apache made four stone points and it only took him six a and half minutes to make all four of them. How the Native Indians made arrow heads. To make an arrow head point the first step is to hammer flint with a hammerstone to remove any large sharp flakes of the stone. The next was called pressure flaking which is made by placing a pointed tool, such as an antler horn on the edge of the stone while applying inward pressure to the tool so as to remove any small thin flakes from the stone. Notching was the last step which was made by using pressure flaking and grinding the stone, to carve out any gaps. This allowed it to be bound to the arrow shaft.
Cassandra Harrison
These beautiful wooden carvings can be found in a few different places in the museum. They are magnificent pieces and are quite big with immense detail. Quite a feat and evolution from the beginning of wood carving. In fact, it is one of the oldest crafts known to mankind. There are decorative handles from people many, many years ago. Isn't it amazing what can be done today? - I. Trent
6-A-I
These pretty little ducks have been hand carved from the wood of bamboo root in Bali, Indonesia. Carving things from wood is actually a widespread form of art in Indonesia, and many carvings have spiritual, artistic, or functional purposes. Many might have elements of all three. The popularity of wood carving in Bali actually stimulated traditions of it in other regions. - I. Trent
4-C-I
An arrowhead is a tip, usually sharpened, added to an arrow to make it more deadly or to fulfill some special purpose. The earliest arrowheads were made of stone and of organic materials. In the stone age, people used sharpened bone, flintknapped stones, flakes, and chips of rock as weapons and tools. A. Blackwell-Besse
4-A-I
Lava Roses are rare drips formations that are found on the floor. It has an appearance of a rose (aka the name). It's form by the drip of stalagmite or sheets of molten lava that falls.
A. Blackwell-Besse
5-B-I
Drift wood is the result of trees or parts of trees that have found their way into the ocean and have been partially subsequently broken down by micro-organisms like gribbles and shipworms. Driftwood can be a nuisance in some places, but in 1980 a Swedish artist named Lars Vilks (bottom right) saw an opportunity and started construction of "Nimis" (pictured to the bottom left). Nimis, which is Latin for "too much", is a 75 ton wooden sculpture of sorts made mostly of driftwood. It is one of the most famous features of the micronation of Ladonia, which was created in protest to attempts to destroy Nimis and Arx (another nearby sculpture). -Alex
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for Access
Although this massive backbone is just a replica, it can be an excellent visual for how large humpback whales really are. This mammal can reach a length of about 52 ½ feet (16 meters.) Its flukes are quite recognizable and used in tracking these creatures which are dispersed among most oceans. Models of a female humpback skeleton from the Museum of Osteology can be purchased on skullsunlimited.com; however, the Shoshone Bird Museum creates a much more educating and inexpensive experience for you and your family to enjoy. --E. Sharp
6-B-O
Ancient Greeks referred to this crystal as a word that means "icy cold" as they believed that this was a form of supercooled ice. It gives off this look because of fluid infusions of liquid, gas or both in it. This means that there are microscopic bubbles of liquid and/or gas inside the quartz. It also means this type of quartz has little to no value to gemstone applications because it isn't as high quality as other types such of rose quartz, blue quartz or Amethyst. Although it may not interest the gemstone makers, it is still a big piece of beautiful crystal. I think its somewhat snowy appearance is quite nice. - I. Trent
4-C-I
The Nazca Culture is from Peru from 200 B.C - 600 A.D. The Nazca Culture is known for their pottery, textiles, and the geoglyphs made on the desert floor, commonly known as Nazca Lines. These can be simple lines, cleared spaces, or animals and figure traced in outlines. Best seen from the air.
A Blackwell-Besse
5-A-O
Found in the Near East, which was home to early civilizations. These bowls date back to 2000 B.C. and were used to cook meat, mainly sheep and goat. - J. Manderscheid
5-A-O
Often hung on the wall above a fire place. The antlers are bigger than deer antlers. Only males have antlers of course. It can also function as a drying rack for hats and clothing.
5-B-O
Shrunken heads are severed and prepare human heads that are used for ritual, trophy and trade purposes. Headhunting occured in many regions of the world but the practice of headshrinking has only been documented in certain regions of the Amazon rainforest in the northwest. The only tribes known to shrink human heads in the past are the Jivaroan tribes. Many tribe leaders would show off their heads to scare enemies.
5-A-O
Pipes like these were sometimes used for ceremonies but also for daily use. Often used to offer prayers in religious ceremony, to seal a covenant or treaty, or to make a ceremonial commitment.
4-A-O
The spears are about 6 to 8 feet long. some of the spears can be launched with an atlatl (spear thrower) to extend its rang. when they used a spear thrower, the spear can reach 93 MPH.
A Blackwell-Besse
1-C-O
Eskimos is the English term for Indigenous people. Traditional Eskimo weapons were largely made from scavenged materials and the animals they killed. They had no means to forge for metal, so bone was their major feature in their weapons. Since most weapons were made for hunting and butchering, they were specifically made for inflicting severe damage. -C. Boettcher
1-C-I
According to legend, to ensure a couple’s success with children, they must place this statue on either side of the doorway leading into the bedroom. If the man, or his spouse touches touches the statue when they enter the room, they are soon to be pregnant. However, the African legend fails to specify where they must touch the statue to ensure their pregnancy. -C. Boettcher
1-C-I
These masks were, and still are made from various materials, such as leather, metal, fabrics, and several types of wood. From celebrations to war preparation, masks are worn by chosen or initiated dancers. Theses masks often represent a spirit and legend has it that the spirit of an ancestors possesses then while wearing it. -C. Boettcher
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for Access
There are many photographs in this museum, but nothing quite like this. These frenzied tribesmen of the Red Sea Hills were found by Earnest B. Schoedsack, a cinematographer who was filming The Four Feathers, near West Sudan. Acting British troops in this production gave this particular fellow the iconic nickname, Fuzzy Wuzzy, clearly after his prime hair-do. --E. Sharp
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for Access
Like a column steadily rising out of the ground, stalagmites beautifully and naturally decorate caverns. They are often mixed up with stalactites, which are the reciprocal of these formations that hang from a ceiling. In the development of these, water hangs from a particular ceiling through surface tension, and as it drops to the ground, deposits of minerals are left behind both on the ceiling and floor. Because these two formations are complementary as they come from the same source, stalagmites and stalactites can, over time, grow into a continual column from floor to ceiling. --E. Sharp
4-A-O
Beehive's internal structure is densely packed of hexagonal prismatic cells made of beeswax, called a honey comb. Several species of Apis live in colonies, but for honey production the western honey bee's and the eastern honey bee's are the main species kept in the hive. Honey bee's use caves, rock cavities, and hollow trees as a natural nesting sites.
A. Blackwell-Besse
4-A-I
Indians of the northern Plains wore buffalo hides for both practical and ceremonial purpose. They wore them in the winter, with the fur on the inside for warmth. When people were sick, they often wore a hide painted with symbols to hasten healing. Political and spiritual leaders wore special hides. These hides might depict a warrior's heroism or record important events in the history of the tribe. A. Blackwell-Besse
4-B-O
A wide range of prehistoric artifacts were formed by pecking, grinding, or polishing one stone with another. Ground stone tools are usually made of basalt, rhyolite, granite, or other macrocrystallineigneous or metamorphic rocks, whose coarse structure makes them ideal for grinding other materials, including plants and other stones.
A. Blackwell-Besse
4-A-O
Lava can gather into a logjam, which helps form a crust. Molten rock and gas escape from deep beneath the Earth's surface, sending lava spewing out in effusive and sometimes explosive eruptions.
A. Blackwell-Besse
4-A-O
Nine large basket where found by the Aurie people of western Africa in the 1940's. They found these nine large baskets across the dry Sahara Desert. They used these basket to dry fruit and to gather many different items.
A. Blackwell-Besse
4-B-I
Saharan Neolithic is also called the Neolithic Subpluvial, this was an extended period of wet and rainy conditions in the climate history of northern Africa. The time period was from about 7500-7000 B.C.E to about 3500-3000 BC.E. The arrowheads are from about 3000-5000 years old. A. Blackwell-Besse
4-B-I
A moccasin is a shoe made of deerskin or other soft leather, consisting of a sole and sides made of one piece of leather stitched together at the top. The most common style is that of the Plains Indians moccasin. Historically, it is the footwear of many indigenous people of North America, moreover, hunters, traders, and European settler wore them.
A. Blackwell-Besse
outside of building
A blacksmith grindstone is a round sharpening stone used for grinding ferrous tools. Grindstones are usually made from sandstone. Around 1480, the early medical rotary grindstone was improved with a treadle and crank mechanism. A. Blackwell-Besse
Building 2-Contact Mr. Olsen
Apache baskets were colorful and designed well. They were woven from various plants. Some were lined with pitch from a tree, which is a natural waterproofing material. The waterproof baskets were used to carry water and other liquids. The baskets were used as storage containers for just about everything. They also used them a trade too.
A. Blackwell-Besse
The water baskets were made by the Jicarilla Apache Indians in the 1800’s. The Jicarilla Apache Indians were one of the loosely organized autonomous bands of the Eastern Apache. Today they live in New Mexico and they speak a southern Athabaskan language. The word Jicarilla came from Mexican Spanish, it means little basket referring to the small water baskets that they used for drinking out of. The word Apache means several culturally related groups of Native Americans (Indians). They also called themselves Haisndayin which means people who came from below, because they believed that they were the first ones that came from below the (underworld).
Cassandra Harrison
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for access
This here is Sally. Seeing that the second building isn’t always open here at the Shoshone Bird Museum, she is always watching the place to make sure no monstrosities happen while Mr. Olsen is gone. She isn’t super talkative, but she is definitely more sociable than her African friends on her left adjacent wall. Come and visit the museum’s east building to see this one-of-a-kind gal! --E. Sharp
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen
A Canoe is a lightweight narrow vessel that is pointed at both ends and open at the top. 17 feet is the popular length for a canoe. The canoe was constructed between 8200 and 7600 B.C, and found in the Netherlands. The word canoe comes from the Carib Kenu (dugout). They used a variety of materials, including bark and hollowed out tree trunks. A. Blackwell-Besse
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen
The earliest definite remains of bow and arrow are from Europe. Possible fragments from Germany were found at Mannheim-Vogelstang dated 17,500-18,000 years ago, and at Stellmoor dated 11,000 years ago. The bow was an important weapon for both hunting and warfare from prehistoric times until the widespread use of gunpowder in the 16th century.
A. Blackwell-Besse
4-B-O
Wood sinks are from the early days of sinks and baths were made from natural teak with no additional finishing. Teak is chosen because of its natural waterproofing properties – it has been used for hundreds of years in the marine industry for this reason. Teak also has natural antiseptic properties, which is a bonus for its use in baths and sinks. A. Blackwell-Besse
4-C-O
Most tools that the Inuit used were made out of stone, or parts of animals, like bone, ivory, antlers, teeth, and horns. To catch fish they also used fishing lines, nets, leisters and three-pronged spears. A. Blackwell-Besse
Around the 18th century, taxidermists started mixing the arsenic with other materials like aloe, alum, and even cinnamon to help make the specimens smell better. Many of the specimens had the odor of sulfur on them, which also made the specimens change colors and even caused them to burn. Although this use of arsenic as a smell repellent has become illegal for museums today, moth poison arsenic is still practiced. - J. Manderscheid
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen
A cradle board is a traditional kind of Native American baby carrier. The baby is swaddled and strapped to a specially designed flat board, usually made of a wood plank. The cradle board can then be carried in the mother's arms, worn on her back like a backpack for travel, propped up on the ground like a baby chair, or secured to a sled or trauois for longer journeys. After horses were introduced to the Americas, cradle boards in some tribes began to be designed to hang off the side of a horse as well.
A. Blackwell-Besse
1-A-O
Pictured is what is known as a buoy. Buoys are floating devises with many different purposes. When anchored, they can contain information on depth, dangerous areas, warn of dangerous currents, etc. When a buoy is used to prevent a boat from damaging itself against a dock, it is known as a “fender”. -Z. McMurry
