Discovering Prehistoric Indians in Georgia Listen to the song and then turn and talk you to your partner and make of list of facts that you know about Indians.

How did the prehistoric indians get here?

Crossing the Land Bridge The Bering Strait became a huge land bridge known as Beringia, it connected Asia and North America People moved back and forth across Beringia for generations

Crossing the Land Bridge The ice age ended and water covered the land bridge again The new inhabitants of North and South America migrated back and forth across the land Each group adapted to its surroundings Their clothing, shelter, and hunting and gathering tools, depended on the climate and resources available to them

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4 Indian Cultures (Tribes) Indian Cultures-PAWM 4 Indian Cultures (Tribes) Paleo: 10,000 years ago Archaic: 8000BC to 1000BC Early , Middle, Late Woodland: 1000BC to 1000AD Mississippian: 700AD to 1600AD

PALEO Earliest known Indian culture. Paleolithic Age (Very old) Tools and weapons made mostly of stone Atlatl: spear throwing device Nomadic: roaming hunters who followed animals for food. Did not build permanent homes Mammoths, bison, sloth… Hunting methods included chasing off cliffs (Bones) Paleo Sites in Georgia: Flint, Savannah, Ocmulgee Only artifacts found from Paleo: Clovis points Atlatls

PALEO / ARCHAIC ATLATL SPEAR

ARCHAIC Early (8000-5000BC) The larger game slowly became extinct forcing the Indians to hunt smaller animals. Deer, rabbit, turkey, fish… Spears and points became smaller Archeologists found weapons made of rock not found in GA. Trade or Migration Fall: lived where berries, nuts fruits were available Summer: good fishing locations Spring & Winter: migrated for other food sources.

ARCHAIC Middle (5000-4000BC) As areas grew drier and warmer, coastlines and riverbeds became exposed— mussels, clams, and shellfish. Middens: heaps/piles of shells Hooks made of animal bone for fishing Longer/lighter spears traveled farther and more accurate—no longer needed to hunt as often. Small groups begin to join together outside the family structure

ARCHAIC Late (4000-1000BC) Discovery of grooved axe with wooden handle. Excavations: archeological diggings Horticulture: science of growing plants and trees Saving seeds Stallings Island: mound of mussel and clam shells…burial grounds, fire hearths, pipes, axes and shell beads Villages were becoming more permanent. Stallings Island Excavation Site

ARCHAIC TOOLS

POTTERY One of the greatest contributions the Archaic Indians made to advancement of civilization. Sherds: bits of broken pottery Allowed for the storing and preservation of food, causing Indians to stay in one place longer! Broken Pottery with engravings

WOODLAND Several families or camps would come together to form TRIBES: A group of people who share a common ancestry, name, and way of life Bow and Arrow: made of stone, shark teeth and antlers. Pottery made to last longer Mixed with sand and dried in sun Evidence of religious ceremonies Burial Mounds Rock Eagle Mound: made of quartz in the shape of a bird. No Explanation…theory. Effigy: image of person or animal

Woodland Period Agriculture is the practice of growing specific plants for food The most common crop grown was maize (corn), beans, and squash

MISSISSIPPAIN Temple Mound Period Highest prehistoric civilization in Georgia First discovered villages along the Mississippi River Villages, towns, and farms Practiced a religion Evidence of Civilization: Grow most of their food Crop rotation- plant in different fields (replenish nutrients) Jewelry, tattoos, hair styles, elaborate clothes Settlements with protective fences and moats Palisade: wall made of tall posts Wattle and Daub: structure made of wood and clay Religious centers to village DISAPPEARED without a trace…Disease, enemies…?

MISSISSIPPIAN Ocmulgee National Monument: Etowah Indian Mounds: Ceremonial lodge built of red clay Used for religious and village meetings Etowah Indian Mounds: 7 pyramid-shaped mounds Graves and bodies found Carved marble statues Kolomoki Indian Mounds: 300 acres with one mound, 50 feet high, 320 feet long Many workers using primitive tools over a long period of time. Etowah Indian Mounds