So I was reviewing my online lecture for school, and I noticed something the teacher had said.
The Plains Indians planted seeds in the Spring, hunted buffalo and small game in the summer, harvested crops and made sure there was a good food surplus for winter in autumn, but in the winter they moved to lowlands. My question, if heat rises, then why did they go to lowlands? Was it to keep their food cold, or to block the wind better? I was genuinely curious, I had always been taught that higher was best in intense cold. I hope this doesn't seem weird to anyone, it was just nagging me, and now I am curious. Thank you.
I don't think it works that way in landforms!!
Notice that the places in our country with the hottest temps at various times of the year are those with the lowest elevations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Valley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coachella_Valley
(just two examples)
Notice that some places in the world with the lowest temps are on the tops of very high mountains!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Whitney
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest_mountains
Are there others? Of course, there are. But the "heat rises" concept doesn't seem to apply to landforms!!
Add elevation, it gets colder. Snow forms on mountain tops. The went to lowlands to avoid the cold. Many animals do the same. Birds go to lowlands, or South.
Oh, Sorry if I bothered yall, and thanks!!!
That's a great question! The reason why Plains Indians moved to lowlands in the winter can be attributed to a combination of factors, including wind protection and access to resources. Let me explain:
The primary reason for moving to lowlands during winter was to seek shelter from the strong winds that are prevalent on the Plains. Lowland areas, such as river valleys or areas protected by natural features like hills or cliffs, provide natural windbreaks. By settling in these areas, the Plains Indians could minimize their exposure to the bitterly cold winds, which can make the temperature feel even colder than it actually is.
Additionally, lowland areas often have more vegetation compared to higher elevations. This means that there would be access to a greater abundance of resources, such as firewood for heating and cooking. It could also provide better opportunities for hunting and trapping game during the winter, as animals might take shelter in these areas as well.
While it is true that heat tends to rise, it's important to keep in mind that the focus here was on protecting themselves from the chilling effects of strong winds rather than trying to retain heat. By finding sheltered areas in lower elevations, the Plains Indians could better withstand the harsh winter conditions.
When exploring historical topics like this, it's always helpful to consider multiple factors and think about the specific circumstances and environment of the people you are studying. I hope this explanation helps clarify why the Plains Indians chose to move to lowlands during winter.