Ancient People of North America

Mrs. Walker 4th Grade

Origins Habitat Nomadic Paleo-Indians Archaic Indians Mound Builders

Vocabulary

Many scientists believe that Native Americans came to North America along a land bridge that extended across the Bering Strait.

Origins:

Ice Age Now

AsiaNorth

America

During the last Ice Age, sea levels were lower because

some of the world’s ocean water was frozen in glaciers. The exposed ocean floor between Siberia and Alaska

made it possible to migrate to the new world. The earliest Native Americans are believed to be

descendants of Asians who traveled from Siberia to North America on foot across this land bridge.

Some Native Americans do not believe the scientific ideas about their origins and believe that their ancestors originated in the Americas.

Origin – the source or starting point of something.

Origins:

Native American

RegionsOver thousands of years, different cultures developed in the Arctic, Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Northeast and Southeast.

Their habitat often influenced how they lived.• What materials were used to build shelters• What food they ate• What type of clothes they wore

Habitat – the natural surroundings.

Tribes that lived on good farmland established permanent settlements.

Other tribes lived nomadic lifestyles.

Nomadic – a way of life in which groups move from place to place, often following herds or migrating birds.

The prehistoric nomads of Tennessee are called Paleo-

Indians.• Most Paleo-Indians were cave dwellers.• Many ancient hooks and spearheads have been found in

caves across the state.

Ancient People of TN

The next group of Native Americans to move

into Tennessee are called Archaic Indians.• The Archaic Indians developed a better spear

and threw their spears with a hand held device called an atlatl (ˈät-ˌlä-təl).

Ancient People of TN

After 2,000 BC, some Native American groups began

to build permanent settlements.

People worked together to clear land, plant crops, and build places of worship.

Their homes had log frames and dried clay walls

These settlements had rulers and governing bodies.

Archaeologist call this era the Mississippian period.

Ancient People of TN

Mississippi Mound

Builders Native Americans

from the Mississippian period built massive earth mounds.

These groups are known today as the Mississippi Mound Builders.

Mound Builders lived in

the eastern woodlands along the Mississippi River.

Mounds were built to bury their dead.

Other items that have been found in mounds are spears, jewelry, and pottery.

Mississippi Mound Builders

Focus Questions:

During the Mississippian period, Native Americans builta. Cavesb. Mud homesc. Moundsd. Log Cabins

Focus Questions:

Where did Paleo-Indians in Tennessee live?a. Log cabinsb. Cavesc. Earth Lodgesd. Dougouts