Greetings -
until the availability of the Canvas tent fabric, Lodges were constructed of much heavier hides. Before horses, A typical Hide lodge might be a ten-foot lodge having a base of about 10 ft in diameter, and using ~ 15-16 foot poles. These were hauled on travois by dogs. After Horses became available the hide lodges grew to 12-15 feet (heght & diameter) and used poles ~ 6 feet longer.
here's an older photo, looks like perhaps 8-10 foot ?
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1Ocbv5cmN0G3M_zP80oDSCmpxXY2VqjBfyMXuZDDzOrjBJM0aWhen Canvas became available, lodges as tall and wide as 18 feet could readily be hauled, the top limit now became the length of pole. In the winter or on extended camp, one would string an Ozan , or liner, which made the inside even smaller.
If you were lucky and rich and young you might have 3 beds in a lodge. here a modern rich man's lodge
http://www.tipi.com/homepage/homephotosig.jpghere's a traditional lodge - not a lot of room:
http://sunnysidestories.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/tipisetup.jpgIf not think more.
So think of 6-8 folks in a 10-12 foot diameter tent with a fire almost in the middle (toward the back).
and I am here to tell ya, just head down to Rondy and that's about as quiet as a village would get. Canvas doesn't stop any sound, and only persuades heavy rain....
I never got any sleep without foam earplugs .
Lodges were pretty close to each other (remember we are talking "back in the day" when raids and such were common)
often in a ring with an opening to the east . Traditionally Lakota and Crow lodges faced east as well.
Gotta tell ya I really love 6 inch insulated walls with stucco & stone for warmth and quiet.
yhs
prof marvel