Just like any other job, settlers on the Texas frontier had specialized tools for the work they needed to accomplish. They needed to make many of the items needed for survival such as food, clothing, and shelter. They sometimes took supplies and animals with them on their long journeys to new homes in Texas. But many times, they needed to gather supplies from new and often unfamiliar surroundings by hunting animals, gathering wild plants, finding water sources, and planting crops. Many women were in charge of helping their families find or make all of the items they needed to survive. Even children were expected to help prepare food, sew clothing, tend animals, and provide care for other younger children in the family. Let's analyze these artifacts and find out what kind of tools they are!

Here are some questions to discuss about this object:

1) What material/materials is this object made of?

2) Where did it come from? (Where would you find materials to make this object?)

4) Where and how was it used? (What environment or location would it be found in?)

5) Is this object similar to anything we use today?

Were you able to discover the correct use of this artifact? If not, don't worry, this is sometimes a tough job. Try the next one!

Were you able to discover the correct use of this artifact? It might be getting easier now. Let's try another!

Were you able to discover the correct use of this artifact? You are really getting the hang of this. Let's try another!

Were you able to discover the correct use of this artifact? That one might have been a challenge, but now you know how to solve the mystery of these objects. Let's try one more!

Were you able to discover the correct use of this artifact?  You now have the skills to conduct your own artifact analysis of any object you might encounter. We don't have any more artifacts to see here, but visit a museum near you to keep practicing!  

Standards for Tools of the Trade