1. Georgia’s Early Native Tribes and Civilizations

2. Georgia’s Prehistoric Time Periods
Paleo–Indian Period (10,000 – 8,000 B.C.E)
Archaic Period (8,000 – 1,000 B.C.E.)
Early: 8, ,000 B.C.E.
Middle: 5, ,000 B.C.E.
Late: 4,000 – 1,000 B.C.E.
Woodland Period (1,000 B.C.E - 1,000 C.E.)
Mississippian Period (1,000 – 1,600 C.E.)

3. Paleo-Indian Period They were Hunter/Gatherers
Their diet mainly consisted of giant bison, mastodons, giant sloths, small animals, nuts, and wild fruit and vegetables.
They used animal bones and skins to make weapons, clothing and shelter
Also used stones to make tools and spears.
Paleolithic = Old Stone Age
Also invented and used the Atlatl – a tool to throw spears farther

4. Clovis Points & Atlatl

5. Paleo-Indian Period (cont.)
These natives were nomads; they had to constantly move from place to place, and lived in bands (groups) of people
They lived in tents/shelters made from animal skins
Because they moved so much to follow their food, there are not many artifacts left in any one place.
They buried their dead
Their life span (how long you live) was around 30 to 40 years. Why?

6. Archaic Period
Large game animals became extinct, so the Archaic people began to depend on a combination of hunting, gathering, and fishing.
Deer, bear, rabbits, fish, oysters, reptiles, berries, and fruits.
Discovered horticulture in the Late Period
The science of cultivating plants & trees
Archaic Indians were nomads, but traveled less than Paleo-Indians.
They moved each season to follow food sources
Small groups joined to establish camps

7. Oyster shells or Midden near Augusta
Archaic Period (cont.)
The Archaic people still used the tools of the Paleo, but their tools also included: choppers, drills, and chipping tools from deer antlers; hooks from animal bones, and a grooved axe made from sticks & stones
Created pottery from moss, grass, and roots
Used to store, cook, and serve food
Possibly believed in an afterlife (religion).
Buried their dead with items that were important in life.
Oyster shells or Midden near Augusta

8. Woodland Period Part of the Neolithic Period
Neolithic = New Stone Age.
Due to the creation of the bow and arrow, the Woodland people were hunters
Agriculture developed during this period
Grew squash, wild greens, and sunflowers
The development of agriculture caused the development of Tribes
They built dome-shaped huts from small trees

9. Woodland Period (cont.)
The Woodland Indians built mounds, made of earth and stone
The mounds contained jewelry, pottery, and other important items
The mounds were used for religious ceremonies & burial purposes.
It is believed that this group was very religious

10. Mississippian Period Part of the Neolithic Period
The Natives lived near rivers and grew most of their food (agriculture)
Grew maize (corn), beans, pumpkins, squash
Also hunted and fished
Tools – they used tools of the earlier periods but they invented farming tools as well.
Lived in large villages with mounds.
Protected by moats & palisades (wooden fences)
Had a “government” led by a Chief

11. Mississippian Period (cont.)
Mounds were created for religious purposes
to bury the dead and store ceremonial items with the dead
Mounds built near the Etowah River (Cartersville), and the Ocmulgee River in south Georgia

12. THE END