In 2008, on a dig in the First Nation’s Menominee Reservation in Wisconsin, archaeologists made a small but magnificent discovery: a very small clay pot.Though it might not have seemed very impressive at first glimpse, this tiny piece of pottery was decided to be roughly 800 years old.And within that pot? Something that affects how we are taking a look at extinction, preservation, and food storage, as well as how humans have influenced the planet in their own time on it.
It’s amazing to think that a little clay pot buried in the floor 800 decades ago would continue to be relevant today, but it’s true! It’s really attracted an extinct species of squash that has been assumed to be lost eternally. Offering our Indigenous Ancestors!Even they understood what preservation supposed. They knew the significance of the long run, Is it not amazing they are impacting our walks of life even to this day?
Here it is! The pot was unearthed on the Menominee Reservation in Wisconsin, in which it had been laid buried for the past 800 years.
Inside, archaeologists discovered a stash of seeds. The seeds were likely buried in the pot for a way of storing food supplies. They were determined to become an older, now-extinct species of squash.
Now, seven years later making this magnificent discovery, pupils in Winnipeg decided to plant the 800-year-old seeds… To everybody’s amazement, something grew!
The squash was called Gete-okosomin. (Respect to the Science people for valuing the Indigenous men and women who’s property this was found on, We See Your Great Nature!)
Now, they’re working to cultivate the skillet so it will not go extinct again. It can be just a humble skillet, but it’s also a symbol of First Nations’ community and history, as well as a fascinating look into just how beautiful plants could be. It just goes to show you that crops could be quite extraordinary. And that occasionally, history has a funny way of coming back around.
The Wheel of Life actually stands out in this instance of history. Our Native origins are powerful and very much tied into the land. I was educated after that the people of Turtle Island were keepers of this land, not owners. I feel like that Squash is proof of the instruction.