Books in Native Dwellings series

The longest enduring Native architecture in North America was built some three thousand years ago by the first peoples to roam the mountains and plateaus of the southwestern United States. From the ancient pit houses evolved the kiva and above-ground dwellings called pueblos by the Spanish because of their resemblance to the houses and courtyards in Spain. The biggest “great house,” called Pueblo Bonito, had 800 rooms, 32 kivas, housed a thousand people, and took years to build. How the people lived and adapted to their natural surroundings is described with a simple text, drawings, and colored illustrations.

The Plains Indians built their houses with the only materials they had: the skins of the buffalo they hunted or the soil dug from the earth around them. Homes grew larger and more varied with the arrival of the horse. The earthlodge, dating from AD 700, was larger than the tipi of buffalo hide. Both were laid out according to religious beliefs and symbols, as were arbors, burial platforms, sweatlodges, and the impressive structure for the Sun Dance.

The Plains Indians built their houses with the only materials they had: the skins of the buffalo they hunted or the soil dug from the earth around them. Homes grew larger and more varied with the arrival of the horse. The earthlodge, dating from AD 700, was larger than the tipi of buffalo hide. Both were laid out according to religious beliefs and symbols, as were arbors, burial platforms, sweatlodges, and the impressive structure for the Sun Dance.

Much of what we know of life among the inhabitants of North America before the arrival of Europeans comes from mounds in the southeastern U.S. However, there is much debate among scholars about the findings. Excavations show sophisticated cities, large effigy mounds, centers of worship, and possibly, vast earthwork calendars. Objects found in the mounds and burial sites provide graphic information about how these ancient people lived.

A look at the fascinating shelters that Native communities in the Far North built, using only materials their environment provided: snow, stone, sod, skin, bones, and any driftwood picked up along the shores. Black-and-white and color drawings show the tools used, and how the snow house, the quarmang, the Alaskan sod-house, and the tent or tupiq were built. And of course, there’s information on the classic snow igloo which could be constructed in a few hours for emergency shelter.

The Native peoples of the Northwest Coast were blessed with a mild climate, waters teeming with fish, and abundant vegetation, including giant cedars, among the world’s tallest and most versatile of trees. With only small handmade tools, these peoples managed to fell the massive trees, transport them back to their villages, build spectacular wooden dwellings, and embellish them with art admired the world over.

The Native peoples of the Northwest Coast were blessed with a mild climate, waters teeming with fish, and abundant vegetation, including giant cedars, among the world’s tallest and most versatile of trees. With only small handmade tools, these peoples managed to fell the massive trees, transport them back to their villages, build spectacular wooden dwellings, and embellish them with art admired the world over.

A look at the fascinating shelters that Native communities in the Far North built, using only materials their environment provided: snow, stone, sod, skin, bones, and any driftwood picked up along the shores. Black-and-white and color drawings show the tools used, and how the snow house, the quarmang, the Alaskan sod-house, and the tent or tupiq were built. And of course, there’s information on the classic snow igloo which could be constructed in a few hours for emergency shelter.

The longest enduring Native architecture in North America was built some three thousand years ago by the first peoples to roam the mountains and plateaus of the southwestern United States. From the ancient pit houses evolved the kiva and above-ground dwellings called pueblos by the Spanish because of their resemblance to the houses and courtyards in Spain. The biggest “great house,” called Pueblo Bonito, had 800 rooms, 32 kivas, housed a thousand people, and took years to build. How the people lived and adapted to their natural surroundings is described with a simple text, drawings, and colored illustrations.

From the Northwest Territories of Canada as far southeast as Virginia in the United States, tree bark became indispensable to the everyday life of Native peoples. Simple to cut, light to carry, easy to work with, it was used for food, containers, clothing, and canoes. But nothing showed their skill, ingenuity, and inventiveness as the way bark was used to make shelters.

From the Northwest Territories of Canada as far southeast as Virginia in the United States, tree bark became indispensable to the everyday life of Native peoples. Simple to cut, light to carry, easy to work with, it was used for food, containers, clothing, and canoes. But nothing showed their skill, ingenuity, and inventiveness as the way bark was used to make shelters.