Great Falls

Gr 12 Up—The stone ruins left behind by the now vanished Native American tribes of the North Eastern Woodlands have not been as carefully studied or understood as those of the Western, Central, and South American peoples. This film examines the under-appreciated native capabilities of these tribes and their understanding of and relationship to celestial events going back as far as the Ice Age. Concentrating on the paleo-maritime civilizations of Narragansett and the Wampanoag tribes, archeologists have unearthed ceremonial stone structures previously thought to be the work of colonial era farmers. They have proved to be directly related to the summer solstice and the sunset at the time of the Perseid meteor showers and are thought to be an integral part of large scale ceremonies and celebrations. Many of these structures are now threatened by the encroachment of airports, malls, and other projects and may disappear before they can be adequately protected. Interviews with concerned Native American archeologists as well as other scientists and experts on the history of astronomy present a little understood aspect of Native American culture. However, the very low key presentation, droning music, and specificity of the subject makes this useful only for older students and those who are interested in this particular aspect of Native American history.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly, Trinity-Pawling School Library, NY