Earthlodges, Tipis, Quinzhees, Snow Caves and More!

Building a Modernized Earthlodge
Exploring Low-Cost Dome Construction Methods
by Thomas J. Elpel, Author of Living Homes and Participating in Nature

Earthlodge architecture comes from the northern Great Plains where Mandan Indians built massive structures for communal housing and shelter from bitterly cold subzero winters and the relentless wind of the Plains. The initial framework for an earthlodge looks something like Stonehenge, or rather “Woodhenge,” with an inner and outer circle of support poles topped by cross beams connecting everything together.

FOR ENTIRE ARTICLE BY THOMAS J. ELPEL CLICK HERE

LISTEN TO MY INTERVIEW ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BUSHCRAFT SKILLS IN EVERYDAY LIFE WITH FERNAN VARGAS OF THE RAVEN TRIBE!

**How To Build A Snow Cave**….For more great articles and drawings like this visit Red Dirt Preppers!

Tipis. Lavvus, Wigwams and more:

15 Ancient House Designs That You Can Build Really Cheap (Potentially For Free) By DANIEL SJÖBERG

Round Lodge, Ramadas, Quinzhees and more:

Survival Shelters By Red Dirt Preppers

**For a great website on herbal medicine and many resources Cat Ellis is the best!**

I have built many wickiups but I would have to say this one was my favorite. It had a ladder to climb up into a crow’s nest. It also had a Paiute style debris panel suspended from trees surrounding it. —Raven