LESSON 3.1- STUDYING PREHISTORIC CULTURES 8 th Grade SC History

USE YOUR BOOK TO HELP YOU DEFINE THE FOLLOWING WORDS: 1. Anthropologist- 2. Archeologist- 3. Artifact- 4. Prehistory-

THE FIRST PEOPLE Who were the first people of South Carolina? Who were the first people of South Carolina? The Spanish, French, and English people were the first Europeans in South Carolina, but not the first people. The Spanish, French, and English people were the first Europeans in South Carolina, but not the first people. The people here before the Europeans arrived were the American Indians. The people here before the Europeans arrived were the American Indians. How did we learn about the American Indians? How did we learn about the American Indians? Through written records of the Europeans who came to South Carolina. Through written records of the Europeans who came to South Carolina.

EARLY INDIAN CULTURES There are no written records of the early South Carolina Indians. There are no written records of the early South Carolina Indians. We know they were here due to the artifacts that scientists found that the early Indians left behind. We know they were here due to the artifacts that scientists found that the early Indians left behind. These early Indians lived in a time called prehistory. These early Indians lived in a time called prehistory. Most early white settlers of South Carolina were farmers. Most early white settlers of South Carolina were farmers. They dug up artifacts left behind by the early Indians when they were preparing their fields for planting. They dug up artifacts left behind by the early Indians when they were preparing their fields for planting. They uncovered items like arrowheads, broken pots, and broken tools. They uncovered items like arrowheads, broken pots, and broken tools. These artifacts provided us with a record of the people who were here before the white settlers. These artifacts provided us with a record of the people who were here before the white settlers.

EARLY INDIAN CULTURES The white settlers didn’t really know the value of the artifacts they found, so many of the artifacts were tossed aside. The white settlers didn’t really know the value of the artifacts they found, so many of the artifacts were tossed aside. This caused us to lose valuable records and artifacts of the early Indians. This caused us to lose valuable records and artifacts of the early Indians. Today, archeologists and anthropologists work to dig up, study, and preserve such artifacts. Today, archeologists and anthropologists work to dig up, study, and preserve such artifacts. The prehistory of South Carolina has only been studied for a short time. The prehistory of South Carolina has only been studied for a short time. The Department of Archeology wasn’t set up in SC until This department is now part of the University of South Carolina in Columbia. The Department of Archeology wasn’t set up in SC until This department is now part of the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

EARLY INDIAN CULTURES Since 1963, scientists have excavated many sites in SC, mostly along the coast or rivers of South Carolina. Since 1963, scientists have excavated many sites in SC, mostly along the coast or rivers of South Carolina. Pottery was found on Stallings Island in the Savannah River and on Fig Island near the North Edisto River. Pottery was found on Stallings Island in the Savannah River and on Fig Island near the North Edisto River. More pottery and other objects have been found on Hilton Head Island. More pottery and other objects have been found on Hilton Head Island.

COMPLETE THE CHART USING PP OF YOUR BOOK AnthropologistsHow They Work TogetherArcheologists

PREHISTORIC CULTURES How did the early Indians arrive in South Carolina? How did the early Indians arrive in South Carolina? The most popular theory is that the ancestors of the SC Indians crossed a land bridge from Siberia to Alaska, eventually migrating across North America and into places like South Carolina. The most popular theory is that the ancestors of the SC Indians crossed a land bridge from Siberia to Alaska, eventually migrating across North America and into places like South Carolina. Scientists believe that this happened during an Ice Age when glaciers covered more of the land than they do now. This meant that coastlines were in different places than they are today. It is possible that the land between Siberia and Alaska was dry land and people walked across it! This area is called the Bering Straight today. Scientists believe that this happened during an Ice Age when glaciers covered more of the land than they do now. This meant that coastlines were in different places than they are today. It is possible that the land between Siberia and Alaska was dry land and people walked across it! This area is called the Bering Straight today. Why did people migrate across the land bridge? Why did people migrate across the land bridge? The people were likely following herds of animals that they hunted for food. The people were likely following herds of animals that they hunted for food. We know very little about these people- mainly that they were nomads. We know very little about these people- mainly that they were nomads.

PREHISTORIC CULTURES Though it took many years, these early nomads eventually spreads across North and South America and the islands of the Caribbean Sea. Though it took many years, these early nomads eventually spreads across North and South America and the islands of the Caribbean Sea. Thousands of years later, when Christopher Columbus landed in the “New World,” he called these people Indians, which is why we call them American Indians. Thousands of years later, when Christopher Columbus landed in the “New World,” he called these people Indians, which is why we call them American Indians. The American Indians developed many different cultures. The American Indians developed many different cultures. The ones who migrated to SC lived in the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont. The ones who migrated to SC lived in the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont. Culture based on hunting the mammoth, mastodon, and great bison in the area. Culture based on hunting the mammoth, mastodon, and great bison in the area. This era is called the Pre-Projectile Point Era (a projectile point is a sharpened rock). This era is called the Pre-Projectile Point Era (a projectile point is a sharpened rock). It is also called the Clovis Era after artifacts found in Clovis, New Mexico It is also called the Clovis Era after artifacts found in Clovis, New Mexico

PREHISTORIC CULTURES Recent evidence that scientists have uncovered around the world, including in SC, reveals that people could have been living in American as far back as 40,000 years ago! Recent evidence that scientists have uncovered around the world, including in SC, reveals that people could have been living in American as far back as 40,000 years ago! These people may have come by boat from Europe because some of the artifacts match those found in Spain. These people may have come by boat from Europe because some of the artifacts match those found in Spain. The SC site called “Topper,” is found in Allendale county along the Savannah River. The SC site called “Topper,” is found in Allendale county along the Savannah River. This site helps support the Bering Straight theory. This site helps support the Bering Straight theory. A chert quarry here has been studied for years. Chert is a glassy, flint-like rock useful in making tools A chert quarry here has been studied for years. Chert is a glassy, flint-like rock useful in making tools In 1998, scientists found artifacts that pre-date the Clovis era by 3,000 years. In 1998, scientists found artifacts that pre-date the Clovis era by 3,000 years. Some artifacts found at Topper may be 40,000 years old. Some artifacts found at Topper may be 40,000 years old. If the artifacts prove to be 25,000 years old or older, scientists will have to rethink the Being Straight theory. If the artifacts prove to be 25,000 years old or older, scientists will have to rethink the Being Straight theory.

AN ANTHROPOLOGIST STUDIES… A.ways to dig up artifacts from the ground. B.the origin and development of man. C.how the levels of the oceans have changed. D.maps of South Carolina and North America.

SOUTH CAROLINA ESTABLISHED THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY IN 1963 BECAUSE… A.the federal government refused to do archaeological research. B.early people did not live in South Carolina long ago. C.scientists were not studying early people anywhere. D.no work in archaeology was being done in South Carolina.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS ARE SCIENTISTS WHO… A.study how humans develop in groups. B.live like early humans did long ago. C.look for artifacts from early people. D.have refused to study the people of South Carolina.

THE PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THERE WERE WRITTEN RECORDS IS CALLED… A. A.prehistory. B. B.the New World. C. C.the Old World. D. D.community.

WHERE DO ARCHEOLOGISTS MOSTLY LOOK FOR ARTIFACTS TODAY? A.in areas where Europeans first settled B.along coasts and rivers C.in places mentioned written records D.near the South Carolina Institute of Archeology and Anthropology

WHEN ARCHAEOLOGISTS EXCAVATE, THEY… A.interpret artifacts from prehistoric people. B.study the Native Americans of South Carolina. C.dig up artifacts. D.create museum exhibits.

WHERE DO ANTHROPOLOGISTS OBTAIN MANY OF THE OBJECTS THAT THEY STUDY? A.from other anthropologists B.from stores C.from the archaeological sites where they dig D.from archaeologists

WHAT TYPE OF ARTIFACT WAS FOUND BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS AT SAVANNAH RIVER AND ON FIG ISLAND? A.pottery B.jewelry C.tools D.utensils