Earthworks and Empires: North American Ancient Civilizations

Earthworks & Empires: The Ancient Civilizations of North America

Long before European colonization, North America was home to thriving civilizations that engineered monumental earthworks, built sophisticated cities, maintained vast trade networks, and developed remarkable architectural and astronomical knowledge. Earthworks & Empires challenges common misconceptions by exploring the rich and complex histories of the Indigenous cultures that shaped the continent for thousands of years.

Designed for high school students (grades 9–12), this college-preparatory, secular course takes students far beyond memorizing dates and names. Over the course of 4–6 weeks, learners investigate archaeological evidence, evaluate primary and secondary sources, compare competing historical interpretations, and develop well-supported arguments using evidence. Every lesson emphasizes critical thinking, historical analysis, and evidence-based reasoning while encouraging students to question long-held assumptions about North America's ancient past.

Students will explore remarkable civilizations and archaeological sites including:

• Poverty Point
• Adena and Hopewell cultures
• Chaco Canyon
• Mesa Verde
• Cahokia
• Mississippian cultures
• Living descendant Indigenous communities

Rather than asking students to simply learn what happened, this deep-dive examines how historians and archaeologists know what they know, encouraging students to distinguish evidence from interpretation, evaluate scholarly debates, and recognize how historical narratives have changed over time.

Course Features

• 4–6 week deep-dive curriculum
• College-preparatory academic rigor
• Secular, evidence-based approach
• Critical thinking and analytical writing throughout
• Primary source analysis
• Archaeology and historical investigation
• Essays, discussions, mini-projects, and a comprehensive final project
• Complete grading rubrics and assessments included
• Independent learner friendly with minimal parent preparation
• Flexible scheduling for homeschool families

Perfect for students interested in history, archaeology, anthropology, Indigenous studies, geography, or cultural history, this course develops the research, writing, and analytical skills expected in college-level humanities courses while providing a broader, more accurate understanding of North America's ancient civilizations.