Introduction to the Cultures ofIntroduction to the Cultures ofNorth American Aboriginal PeoplesNorth American Aboriginal Peoples

Eastern WoodlandsEastern Woodlands

Regional CharacteristicsRegional Characteristics

Eastern third dominated by Appalachian MountainsEastern third dominated by Appalachian Mountains Characterized by steep-sided valleys, with relatively small Characterized by steep-sided valleys, with relatively small

valley floors and high-energy streamsvalley floors and high-energy streams Flat broad plain reaching the AtlanticFlat broad plain reaching the Atlantic

Mississippi-Ohio-Tennessee Basins and rivers Mississippi-Ohio-Tennessee Basins and rivers flowing directly into the Gulf of Mexicoflowing directly into the Gulf of Mexico Broad, low-energy streamsBroad, low-energy streams Broad floodplainBroad floodplain

Mississippi River Valley is very broad in its southern reaches Mississippi River Valley is very broad in its southern reaches (dozens of miles wide)(dozens of miles wide)

FloraFlora

Eastern WoodlandsEastern Woodlands Hardwood Mixed-oak forestHardwood Mixed-oak forest Southern and western regions dominated by broad, Southern and western regions dominated by broad,

low energy rivers and wide flood plainslow energy rivers and wide flood plains Northern and central regions (Appalachia) Northern and central regions (Appalachia)

dominated by steep-sided valleysdominated by steep-sided valleys

FaunaFauna

Deer, rabbitsDeer, rabbits Raccoons, opossumsRaccoons, opossums Wolf, mountain lionWolf, mountain lion ReptilesReptiles

Turtles, tortoises, snakesTurtles, tortoises, snakes BirdsBirds

Northeastern WoodlandsNortheastern Woodlands

HorticulturalistsHorticulturalists Lived in settled villages made up of a number of Lived in settled villages made up of a number of

longhouseslonghouses Each longhouse was occupied by members of a Each longhouse was occupied by members of a

matrilineage:matrilineage: Female relatives, their husbands, daughters, daughters’ Female relatives, their husbands, daughters, daughters’

husbands, unmarried sonshusbands, unmarried sons The status of women was quite highThe status of women was quite high Well-known tribes include the Iroquois, Huron, Well-known tribes include the Iroquois, Huron,

Mohicans and, DelawareMohicans and, Delaware

Iroquois VillageIroquois Village

Division of LaborDivision of Labor

MenMen HuntingHunting WarfareWarfare Ceremonies and GamesCeremonies and Games

Lacrosse (NE), Chunkey (SE)Lacrosse (NE), Chunkey (SE)

Clearing landClearing land WomenWomen

Processing foodProcessing food Collecting wood and waterCollecting wood and water Planting and harvestingPlanting and harvesting

Southeastern WoodlandsSoutheastern Woodlands HorticulturalistsHorticulturalists Lived in political units made up of a central large Lived in political units made up of a central large

town (Cahokia-40,000 people) surrounded by a town (Cahokia-40,000 people) surrounded by a network of smaller towns and villagesnetwork of smaller towns and villages

Central towns are marked by large, flat-topped Central towns are marked by large, flat-topped moundsmounds On top of these mounds were the homes of chiefs and On top of these mounds were the homes of chiefs and

religious leadersreligious leaders These peoples are the direct ancestors of the modern These peoples are the direct ancestors of the modern

“Five Civilized Tribes”: Cherokee, Creek, “Five Civilized Tribes”: Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw and SeminoleChickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole

Moundville (AL)Moundville (AL)

Cahokia (IL)Cahokia (IL)