# @nationalparkservice on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjx4Q_ruFet
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/21023083-nationalparkservice-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/69f49caddb.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-10-16T15:18:42.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** National Park Service (@nationalparkservice) — https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice

## Caption

The result of centuries of innovation and adaptation, the circular earthlodge of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people was the perfect home for life on the Northern Plains.

An earthlodge housed between ten and twenty people, usually sisters and their families. Beds were located around the outer ring in the areas between support poles. Personal items were kept under the beds while general use items were kept on raised platforms similar to bed frames.

The main focus in the earthlodge was the central fire pit with smoke escaping through a hole in the roof. In the event of heavy rain or snow, an old bullboat could be turned over the hole and propped up to allow smoke to escape. Earthlodge occupants sat around the central fire on reed mats including the atuka, a high-sided seat reserved for the oldest man of the household. The atuka was also offered to visitors as a sign of respect.

Image: Inside of the earthlodge, where a fire has created smoke within the home at @kniferiverindianvillagesnps. A sunbeam shines from the vent hole in the ceiling. NPS/K. Schlawin

#earthlodge #kniferiver #northdakota #construction #building #plains

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 16,301
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 47

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| National Park Service | @nationalparkservice | https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice | Government Organization |

## Tags

construction, plains, building, earthlodge, kniferiver, northdakota

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