First InhabitantsFirst Inhabitants

Human Cultures in North Human Cultures in North AmericaAmerica

Terms to KnowTerms to Know

• ArchaeologyArchaeology• ArtifactsArtifacts• CultureCulture• HorticultureHorticulture• PalisadePalisade

• TribeTribe• Clovis PointClovis Point• AtlatlAtlatl• NomadicNomadic

North AmericaNorth America12,000 years ago12,000 years ago

• The last Ice Age The last Ice Age occurred.occurred.

• A land bridge existed A land bridge existed

between Asia and between Asia and North America North America (Beringia).(Beringia).

• Georgia’s coast line Georgia’s coast line was a hundred miles was a hundred miles east of today’s coast.east of today’s coast.

Paleo IndiansPaleo Indians• First First human beings in Georgiahuman beings in Georgia• Evidence shows they were here Evidence shows they were here

13,250 years ago.13,250 years ago.• They were They were Nomadic people who Nomadic people who

followed the herds.followed the herds.• Hunter-gatherers - large animals Hunter-gatherers - large animals

(mammoths, bison), fish ,wild (mammoths, bison), fish ,wild plants.plants.

• Used large spears with stone tips Used large spears with stone tips called Clovis points (artifacts).called Clovis points (artifacts).

• Warm climates caused extinction of Warm climates caused extinction of many large animals during Paleo many large animals during Paleo period.period.

• No Paleo sites have been found in No Paleo sites have been found in GeorgiaGeorgia

Clovis PointClovis Point• Used on the end of a long heavy Used on the end of a long heavy

spear. spear. • It was used for stabbing, not It was used for stabbing, not

throwingthrowing..

Archaic PeopleArchaic People• 8,000 BC – 1,000 BC (old)8,000 BC – 1,000 BC (old)• Nomadic Nomadic • Improved hunting (small Improved hunting (small

animals)animals)• Created hooks and nets for Created hooks and nets for

fishing. fishing. • Began trading with other Began trading with other

groups.groups.• AtlatlAtlatl, smaller spear points, , smaller spear points,

stone tools, grooved axe, & stone tools, grooved axe, & potterypottery

• This is the prehistoric period This is the prehistoric period in which horticulture began.in which horticulture began.

AtlatlAtlatl

• A spear thrower- a tool that uses A spear thrower- a tool that uses leverage to achieve a further leverage to achieve a further throw.throw.

LH Page 12LH Page 12

• Create a Double Bubble MapCreate a Double Bubble Map• Archaic and PaleoArchaic and Paleo

Woodland IndiansWoodland Indians• 1,000 BC – 1,000 AD1,000 BC – 1,000 AD• Permanent villages (protective Permanent villages (protective

walls) along stream valleys walls) along stream valleys (moist soils)(moist soils)

• Farming (sunflowers, squash, Farming (sunflowers, squash, beans) and improved hunting beans) and improved hunting techniquestechniques

• Bow and arrow replaced spear, Bow and arrow replaced spear, new pottery methods new pottery methods (artifacts)(artifacts)

• Traded with other tribesTraded with other tribes• Ceremonial burial mounds Ceremonial burial mounds

(Kolomoki, Rock Eagle)(Kolomoki, Rock Eagle)• Mounds, Plants, and Fortified Mounds, Plants, and Fortified

towns are developments of the towns are developments of the Woodland Indians.Woodland Indians.

Rock Eagle EffigyRock Eagle Effigy

• Located near Located near Eatonton,GA.Eatonton,GA.

• Excavations found the Excavations found the remains of one remains of one person and a small person and a small spear point.spear point.

MississippianMississippian CultureCulture• 800 AD – 1600 AD800 AD – 1600 AD• Civilization with organized Civilization with organized

towns and cities.towns and cities.• Extensive agriculture grew Extensive agriculture grew

corn, squash, beans – aka: corn, squash, beans – aka: “Three sisters”.“Three sisters”.

• Trade with groups as far away Trade with groups as far away as Mexico.as Mexico.

• Mound building for religious Mound building for religious purposes, burial, and public purposes, burial, and public businessbusiness– Macon, Floyd Co. , & Stewart Co.Macon, Floyd Co. , & Stewart Co.

• Society created with Society created with hierarchies (levels of hierarchies (levels of importance).importance).•Stone axes, Stone axes,

bowls, painted bowls, painted potterypottery

The EndThe EndOvercrowding, lack of sanitation, and Overcrowding, lack of sanitation, and

exposure to European diseases exposure to European diseases (tuberculosis) brought an end to the (tuberculosis) brought an end to the Mississippian Culture by early 1600s.Mississippian Culture by early 1600s.