Mississippian Period The Mississippian Stage is characterized by the construction of large, flat topped mounds, small triangular projectile points, shell tempered pottery, an increased dependence on maize agriculture, and the organization of the population into a chiefdom society.

Mississippian A.D. 1000 – 1600

One of the characteristics of Mississippian settlements is the construction of large earthen, flat-topped mounds, such as those at Etowah.

Dwellings Permanent settlements with wattle and daub houses Villages protected by moats (deep ditches) and palisades (walls of posts around village) Government – chiefdom (political system ruled by a chief that could contain from one to several villages)

Earthlodge at Ocmulgee

In the Southeast corn, or maize, was the most common crop raised by the Mississippian Indians. Other crops that were grown include beans, squash, pumpkin, and sunflower. The crops were generally tended by the women of the society. The fields of the Mississippian Indians looked quite different than those we see today. Mississippian fields were not divided by crops as ours are today. Instead, beans, corn, squash, and other crops grew alongside of one another. This was an efficient use of land because the corn stalks provided shade for the lower crops and acted as supports, or stakes, for the beans to wind around.

Food Deer, turkey, other small game (rabbit, squirrel) fish Agriculture -- Corn, beans, squash, other vegetables; grew tobacco Stored crops in community storehouses

Tools and Weapons Bow and arrow The bow and arrow remained as the primary weapon for hunting and warfare. However, arrows became lighter, more accurate, and more deadly. Game such as turkey, deer, squirrel, rabbit and other small game were hunted.

Fish Traps Fish were caught by building V-shaped dams in rivers which channeled the fish into baskets or where they could be speared. This one is still standing at Etowah.

Evidence of Religion Burial mounds with food, tools, ceremonial objects of wood, copper, seashell, stone Decorated themselves with jewelry, feathers, tattoos pottery figurines of humans and animals Etowah, Ocmulgee (examples of burial mounds)

Around 1600, the Mississippian culture vanished – people left their villages and there is little archaeological evidence to help explain the mystery. Some experts believe that diseases, such as smallpox, brought by European explorers, wiped out up to 95% of the population. Other possible explanations could be war or famine.

The Mississippian Period The Europeans are coming soon! The Mississippian Period Dates 1,000 A.D. – about 1600 A.D. Weapons All tools and weapons from previous periods – only better-made and more effective Food Grew most food Corn, beans, pumpkin, and squash Used slash-and-burn technique Stored food in storehouses for a constant supply Dwellings Large-scale communities w/ palisades and moats Several 1,000 families living together Wattle and daub houses made of clay, wood, and forest brush Mound communities like Etowah and Ocmulgee Religion Priest-chief presides over religious ceremonies Religious aspects controlled by govt.

End of Prehistory? Prehistory ends in Georgia with the arrival of Spanish-Explorer Hernando deSoto. (around 1539) Beginning of traditional European written records of GA