PEABODY LESSONS

NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION & REPATRIATION ACT (NAGPRA)

The passage of the Native American Graves Protection & Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) in 1990 marked a turning point for archaeologists, museums, and Native peoples. The law requires museums to consult with appropriate tribes and repatriate ancestral remains, funerary objects, and other sacred objects. Specific examples, often involving the Peabody, will be discussed. Students in History 300 will discover how modern Native peoples are working to undo colonial practices and heal the considerable wounds caused by loss of ancestral remains and sacred objects. Students should read NAGPRA Comics: Journeys to Complete the Work online before visiting the Peabody: https://nagpracomics.weebly.com/the-comics.html

THE ATLATL: AN ANCIENT HUNTING AND WARFARE DEVICE

The atlatl, a device for throwing long, slender darts, was one of the most important technological inventions of Ice Age people. Used across the globe, it was the primary weapon employed for hunting and warfare in the Americas until it was replaced by the bow and arrow. Because it acts as a handheld catapult, an atlatl greatly magnifies the force with which one can propel a dart for hunting. In this lesson, students use modern atlatls in a safe and controlled environment, practicing both longdistance throwing and accuracy.