1. Early Civilizations

2. SS8H1 The student will evaluate the development of Native American cultures and the impact of European exploration and settlement on the Native American cultures in Georgia.
a. Describe the evolution of Native American cultures (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian) prior to European contact.

3. Paleo Period Paleo Indians were the earliest known culture
Paleo culture lasted until 10,000 years ago
Paleo is a Greek word meaning “very old” or “long ago”
Cultures were identified by the materials their tools were made from
Paleo Indians made most of their tools/spears from stone so the Paleolithic age is also known as the Stone Age
Created the Atlatl
Used an amazing tool known as

4. Paleo Indians Migration

5. Atlatl

6. Paleo Period cont. Nomadic (roaming) hunters
Lived in groups of people

7. Archaic Period Archaic means “old”
Includes three distinct time spans: Early, middle and late
EARLY ARCHAIC PERIOD
-8000 B.C B.C.
-hunted large game until they became
extinct
-invented useful tools such as choppers, drills, and chipping tools from deer antlers
-moved each season

8. Archaic Period cont. MIDDLE ARCHAIC PERIOD -Began around 5000 B.C.
-The area grew warm and dry; water levels receded along rivers/coastal areas and people began to eat shellfish
-Hooks were made from animal bones; tied hooks to end of spears that were thrown which made fishing easier
-Several small groups joined together to establish camps

9. Archaic Period cont. LATE ARCHAIC PERIOD -4000 B.C.-1000 B.C.
-grooved ax discovered;
used to clear trees and
bushes
-horticulture(science of cultivating plant
and trees) began
-depended on shellfish for most of their food
-thought to be more permanent than previous groups because of discoveries such as mounds of mussel and clam shells, burial grounds, fire hearths, etc.
-Food was prepared differently; clay containers were used for storing, cooking and serving food
-Pottery was one of this period’s greatest contributions

10. Archaic Period cont.

11. WOODLAND PERIOD
1000 B.C A.D.
Several hundred families banded together to form tribes
Tribe: group of people who share a common ancestry, name, and way of living
Lived in villages and huts (made from small trees and bark)
Bow and arrow developed which made hunting easier
Grew squash, wild greens, and sunflowers
Learned to make pottery last longer by mixing clay with sand
Elaborate religious ceremonies were introduced; built cone-shaped burial mounds for the dead, adorned bodies with necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc
Special funeral pottery, tools, tobacco pipes and weapons were buried in graves with their family and friends
Thought to have believed in life after death

12. Woodland Period cont.

13. MISSISSIPPIAN PERIOD Began around 700 A.D.
Highest prehistoric civilization in Georgia
Named for the area from which artifacts were excavated along the Mississippi River
Grew most of their own food (maize, beans, pumpkins, and squash); believed in crop rotation
Dressed differently: wore tattoos on their bodies, feather headdresses, beads and ear ornament
Built centers for religious ceremonies
Villages protected by moats and palisades
Left villages about 1600 A.D. and there is nothing to tell us where they went

14. Mississippian Period cont.

15. Comprehension Questions
Using your own paper, answer these questions. You will have to visit some of the underlined sites to find some ofthe answers, while other questions can be answered directly from the article.
1. What does Paleo mean?
2. What does Archaic mean?
3. The Archaic period is divided into what three time spans?
4. What is a chert point?
5. What did Archaic hunters use to kill game?
6. What new tool was used by the Late Archaic Indians?
7. List three uses for pottery.
8. Go to the Woodland Indians web page and sketch what a longhouse would look like.
9. What was the advantage to using a bow and arrow?
10. Using the Rock Eagle web page, draw what the mound looks like.
11. What were several foods grown by the Mississippian Indians?
12. What do you think happened to the Mississippian Indians?Ê Write a paragraph explaining your theory.