The Paleo Indians were the first Prehistoric Indians that lived in Alabama. They moved here about 12,000 years ago. They were nomads, people that moved from place to place. They hunted mammoths and other large animals with spears. They were known to be kind to one another when they were sick.

The Archaic Indians were more advanced than the Paleo Indians. They lived on the river during the Summer, and in the Winter they lived in the forest. They traded for special items. They made a spear thrower called an atlatl. They used plants as medicine. They also used spider webs to place on cuts to stop the bleeding.

The Woodland Indians made lots of tools like a bone needle, copper creel, awl. Most Woodlands lived in deer hide tents. They made clothes. They began to use a bow and arrow. They lived in small villages.

The Mississippians traveled in dug out canoes that could hold up to 20 – 30 people. They built mounds to bury their dead. On top of the mounds were homes for the priests and chiefs. They also built temples on the mounds. In the temples they held ceremonies for marriages, burials, good crops, and successful battles. They made beautiful pottery.

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