The Prehistoric Indian Cultures

Essential Question

What were Georgia’s prehistoric Indian civilizations?

How did Georgia’s prehistoric Indian live?

Overview

Indians have lived in North America for 15,000 to 20,000 years. From anthropological studies and the examination of artifacts, historians know that there were four prehistoric Indian cultures: Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian. They were powerful and responsible caretakers of all that surrounded them.

Paleo IndiansTime Period: Before 10,000 years agoLifestyle: Nomadic – followed large herds of animalsFood Sources

Large Animals• Mammoths• Bison• Ground Sloth• Mastodons

Mammoth

Bison

Ground Sloth

Mastodon

Horses and Camels

Paleo Indians: Before 10,000 Years Ago

Weapons, Tools, & Utensils

Clovis Point Spear made of wood

Paleo Indians: Before 10,000 Years Ago

Technology

Developed the Clovis point spear

Archaic Indians:Time Period: 8000 BC to 1000 BCLifestyle:

Lived in small groupsHunter-gatherersMoved w/ seasons

Food SourcesSmall GameReptilesFish & ShellfishBerriesNutsFruits

Archaic Indians: 8000 BC to 1000 BC

Weapons, Tools, & Utensils

Spears, drills

Chipping tools

Bone fish hooks

Grooved Axes w/

wooden handle

Weighted spears w/ hooks

Archaic Indians: 8000 BC to 1000 BC

TechnologyBegan using stone caves as shelter; stayed in one place longerBegan using stone pottery for cookingAtl-atl: spear-throwing deviceBegan horticulture

Woodland Indians: Time Period: 1000 BC to 1000 ADLifestyle:

Mainly hunter-gatherersFormed tribes

Food SourcesSmall GameFishNuts & FruitsSquash

Woodland Indians: 1000 BC to 1000 AD

Weapons, Tools, & Utensils

Bow & Arrow

Baked Pottery

Woodland Indians: 1000 BC to 1000 AD

Technology:Small villages of Dome-shaped huts with grass roofs

Bow and Arrow

Mounds for dead

Invented farming techniques

Mississippian Indians:

Time Period: 700 AD to 1600 AD

Lifestyle:Mainly farmers hunter-gatherers

Food Sources• Crops such as:

• Maize• Beans• Pumpkins• Squash

Mississippian Indians:

Weapons, Tools, & Utensils• Bow and Arrow

• Copper Headdresses

• Tattoes

• Farming tools

Mississippian Indians:Technology• Larger villages with ceremonial buildings w/

moats, guard towers, and fences• Mounds for worship and burial• Temple Mound period• Improved methods of farming; grew most of

their food.

Apply what you have learned…

Think-Pair-Share activity

Using your chart, compare and contrast the 4 Native American time periods.