Early Inhabitants of Georgia

1. Early Inhabitants of Georgia Paleo Archaic Woodland Mississippian Historic (we’ll learn about “Historic” in the next chapter)

2. Archaeology 101 • “Hi, my name is: • Dr. U. R. Ancient!” • I’m Shiloh’s resident archaeologist. I hope you will learn a few things about the people who were here before the Europeans arrived.”

3. The P.A.W.M. Pilot • Our graphic organizer for this unit will be a paper “P.A.W.M.” Pilot. (It’s cheaper than a real Palm Pilot). The letters stand for the 4 time periods of the Native Americans in Georgia. They are: --Paleo --Archaic --Woodland --Mississippian

4. The P.A.W.M. Pilot • 1st Step: Fold your paper in half (hot dog; down) • 2nd Step: Fold the paper into four parts by folding in half (across), and then fold it in half again (across). • 3rd Step: Take the front flap and cut it into 4 “lids”; do NOT cut through the fold of the paper.

5. The P.A.W.M. Pilot • On the “Cover”: Write one letter per flap: P, A, W, M. Make it colorful! • (Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian) • On the Flip Side of the “Cover” & Inside Section: • Write a summary of each Native American tradition. Tell about: • Family • Food • Weapons • Group Size • Technology

6. The P.A.W.M. Pilot • On the “Back of the Uncut Page: • Make a timeline that shows when all the time periods occurred. • (Hint: make each inch = 1000 years or each ½ inch= 1000 years)

7. Time Periods • When archaeologists study past cultures, they estimate when these people might have lived in Georgia. For example, the term, “Paleo” means “very old” and refers to any person who was alive in Georgia during that time period. So, Paleo is more of a time period than a name of a tribe.

8. In the movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark,Indiana Jones plays a scientist who looks for valuable artifacts of the past at archaeological sites (while fighting bad guys). These clues to the past can be found in “middens” or trash piles that were left behind. Anthropologists are like the experts on CSI, who look for how different crime scenes may be related. They also try to describe how one culture is different from another. They explain how humans changed their living styles over time. Indiana Jones v. CSI Georgia Story: Archaeology

9. SURVIVAL 101 Archaeologists want to know how cultures solved our basic needs: F ___ ___ ___ W ___ ___ ___ ___ S ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ By examining the artifacts left behind, the archaeologist can make educated guesses about how people lived.

10. Question for the Day: Where’s the Food? • Because food was the main concern of each day, people were always looking for ways to make the search easier and less time-consuming. As anthropologists study the past, they describe cultures by how they got their food. The first category is: • FOOD GATHERERS: these people hunted, fished, collected nuts, and ate whatever food that they could find as they walked about the land.

11. Question for the Day: Where’s the Food? • As time went on, people wanted to have some control of where they found their food. They grew tired of packing up and moving every time food got scarce in an area. • This led to the 2nd category that anthropologists use to describe a culture:

12. Question for the Day: Where’s the Food? • HUNTING FARMERS: these people continued to be food gatherers but they added one great new skill: the ability to farm. Farming means you can decide that a crop such as “yellow corn” can be grown in a certain spot, and it will (with some work) appear there to provide food for all at some point during the year. • That is a huge burden to be lifted if you KNOW you’ll have food growing in a certain spot during the year. When the crop does comes to harvest, food will be plentiful.

13. Question for the Day: Where’s the Food? • Eventually, people got very proficient at growing their food. Diversity in crops occurred, and groups quit moving around so much. • Cultures got more complex as people had more free time than every before.

14. Question for the Day: Where’s the Food? • This led to a 3rd way that anthropologists describe how a group of people got their food: • MASTER FARMERS: These people could grow many different foods to feed a large number of people.

15. Question for the Day: Where’s the Food? • MASTER FARMERS: These people still hunted, fished, and gathered food like their ancestors; but the main “staple” of their diet came from their great ability to grow crops wherever they wished.

16. SO… Time to play “Detective” • As you learn about the four time periods (or eras) of Native Americans in Georgia that lived before the Europeans arrived, think about how they collected their food. • Food Gatherers: hunt, fish, collect (no farms) • Hunting Farmers: hunt, fish, collect, farm corn • Master Farmers: hunt, fish, collect and grow a variety of crops to feed thousands of people

17. Native Americans or 1st Immmigrants? • One of the first questions that scientists try to decide is where did the 1st people come from that lived in “Georgia” come from and why were they moving? • Were they always here? • Did they come from Asia? • Did they come from South America? • Did they sail over the Pacific? • What do you think it the best prevailing theory (educated guess)? What evidence do you think they might have found to support that claim? (Hint: on the map, where did they find artifacts)?

18. PALEO: ICE AGE (the movie) Did you know “prehistoric” means “before history”? It’s basically anytime that a culture had no written language to record facts & beliefs about their lifestyles.

19. PALEO (10,000-8,000 B.C.)“Very Old” The Real “Super Target” Store! If the theory is that the Native Americans came from Asia across the land bridge that existed during the Ice Age, the question must be asked: WHY?!? Why would anyone walk around in the ice when they would rather stay inside with a warm fire? (think back to the three necessities of life) Because: People have to be where the food can be found. Those people who lived during the Paleo era were “food gatherers”; they hunted animals, picked fruit and vegetables, fished, and ate whatever they could find. The most complete “meal” was the “Wooly Mammoth” or mastodon. The meat would feed the band of people for days and the skin, tusks, bones, meat, organs, brains, etc. could all be used for supplies. No part of the animal was wasted because there was no other source of supplies.

20. PALEO (10,000-8,000 B.C.)“Very Old” • The “Band”: Because the survival of the group depended on a successful hunt, the number of people in the band was usually 20-30 people. The group would have to be small to be able to move quickly when the food source moved away. Also, the food would have to be enough to feed everyone. • Men: The men would hunt together with large spears called “Clovis Points” and stabbed the large animal until it died. They would run up and try to stab the animal in its soft underbelly or joints. Once the animal died, the group would move near the “kill site”. Young boys would hunt when he was a teen. • Women: The women would quickly pack up the camp site and move to the “kill site”. The women and girls would help prepare the slain animal for all of its different uses. • FYI: The average age span of Paleo: 40-45 yrs!!! WHY such a short life?

21. PALEO (10,000-8,000 B.C.)“Very Old” • The Paleo Indians were a “nomadic” people- they lived wherever their food could be found. Their clan, or group of people, traveled and worked together. • The “Clovis Point” was the large spearhead that was used to stab the animal in the soft underbelly. (Clovis was an archaeologist who discovered one of the first spearheads and figured out how it was used by the Paleo people) • QUESTIONS: • Why have we found so little about the Paleo time period? • What conclusion could you draw about their daily life? What was the main focus of every day?

22. “PALEO” PONDERINGS • QUESTIONS TO PONDER: • Which is the best description of the Paleo Indians? --Food Gatherer --Hunting Farmer --Master Farmer • Why have we found so little about the Paleo time period? • What conclusion could you draw about their daily life? What was the main focus of every day?

23. ARCHAIC (8,000 -1,000 B.C.)“Old” • Why the Change? • When the Ice Age ended, the larger animals became extinct, and the people in Georgia did not have to travel as far to hunt the smaller animals. So these Archaic Indians moved on a more “seasonal” basis: winter on the seashore, summer in the mountains might be a year’s plan. • Though these Indians were still hunters & food gatherers, they did live longer in an area before moving. So, they lived in groups or bands, numbering 40-60 people and moved just a few times in a year. • All tools continued to be made from wood, stone, or bone; no metal tools were used by these Native Americans.

24. ARCHAIC (8,000 -1,000 B.C.)“Old” • Atl-Atl: Though this looks like an abbreviation for Atlanta, it really is the name for a new weapon- the spear thrower. • By shrinking the size of the spear, and transferring energy from the person to the atl-atl to the spear, a hunter could throw this weapon from a great distance. It was a perfect adaptation for hunting smaller game. • FYI: An atl-atl could throw a spear from the blacktop behind our gym all the way across the bus circle and into the trees… on a straight line! (A Native American expert did this demonstration for us several years ago at Shiloh Middle).

25. ARCHAIC (8,000 -1,000 B.C.)“Old” • Innovations: • Stone Boiling: Rocks were placed in a fire, and then moved with two forked sticks into a pit that was lined with an animal skin and filled with water. The sticks would be used to drop the rocks in the water. The rocks would make the water boil and the vegetables could be cooked! --Pottery: As people needed less time to gather food, they had time to invent things, such as simple pottery to use in cooking.

26. “ARCHAIC” ANSWERS • QUESTIONS TO PONDER: • Which is the best description of the Archaic Indians? --Food Gatherer --Hunting Farmer --Master Farmer • What kind of animals did Archaic Indians hunt? • Why did the Archaic Indians change their style of weapons? (Hint: think about the size of the target)

27. Woodland (1000 B.C.- 1000 A.D.) • Eventually, people in Georgia made an important discovery. Besides eating corn, they could plant it and expect a corn crop to grow during the summer. Farming is to intentionally grow a food crop in a certain area. It’s a huge break- through for the Native Americans. They could let the food “come” to them!

28. Woodland (1000 B.C.- 1000 A.D.) • Because food was easier to get, the need for movement was reduced. The groups of bands (of the Archaic period) grew to be tribes (200-400) of people by the Woodland period.

29. Woodland (1,000 B.C.- 1000 A.D.) • Technology: • Bow and Arrow: for hunting small game such as deer or squirrel. • Dart/Blow Gun: for hunting very small game such as birds, rabbits, etc. • Question: Why would these new weapons be an improvement for hunting over the use of the atl-atl for hunting deer or rabbits? (Hint: think about the delivery)

30. Woodland (1,000 B.C.- 1000 A.D.) • Technology: The people who lived during the Woodland era were much different from their ancestors during the Paleo and Archaic time periods. Why? • Tribal Growth: For the first time in history, man learned a very important skill: he could plant a seed, fertilize it, and wait for it to grow into something edible. The fear of starvation was lessened considerably. It also encouraged “tribes” to stay in one place. These tribes could be 200-300 people. The main farm crop was corn.

31. Woodland (1000 B.C.- 1000 A.D.) • Horticulture Techniques: • Girdling: This is the process of cutting down a tree with a stone axe. The Woodland Indian would cut a circle around the base of the tree trunk. Eventually, the tree would die, and could be pushed over easily. • Slash & Burn: This process involves cutting away all vegetation on the ground, and then burning it. The soil can then be used for planting, or allowed to grow back naturally. The young plants that grow there attract deer, rabbits, etc. because those plants are the best to eat!

32. Woodland Landmark • One of the signs of the Woodland period in Georgia is the Rock Eagle Effigy Mound. (“Effigy” means “form” or “in the image”). This is near Eatonton, GA (near Covington). • Quartz Rocks were piled 10 ft. high, 102 feet in length, and 120 ft. wide. • Archaeologists think Rock Eagle might have been used as a religious center for many groups in the area. • Question: Why would an “eagle” be a good choice for a religious meeting area? (Hint: what characteristics would an eagle have that humans might wish to emulate?)

33. Woodland Wonderings • QUESTIONS TO PONDER: • Which is the best description of the Woodland Indians? --Food Gatherer --Hunting Farmer --Master Farmer • What was the purpose for Rock Eagle? • Why did the Woodland Indians change their style of weapons? (Hint: think about the delivery of the arrow)

34. Mississippian (1000 A.D.-1540 A.D.) • As time went on, cultures got even better at growing food. Where the Woodland Indians grew corn (“maize”), the Mississippian Indians grew a variety of crops such as pumpkin, squash, beans, and many other crops.

35. Mississippian (1000 A.D.-1540 A.D.) • Because food was easily provided, group size grew to chiefdoms (2000+ people) for this tradition. • The Chief, or mico, was the spiritual & political of the chiefdom. He could be carried down from his mound on a “litter” (a seat carried between two poles by warriors).

36. Mississippian (1000 A.D.-1540 A.D.) • He could be carried down from his mound on a “litter” (a seat carried between two poles by warriors). • Questions: What is the symbolism for the chief living on a mound? On his men carrying him on a litter? On an effigy statue being made of him?

37. Mississippian (1000 A.D.-1540 A.D.) • The chief lived on man-made mounds of dirt. Other smaller mounds might be for a lesser chief (medicine man) or a burial mound. • When a chief died, his body & house might be burned on top on the mound. Then, more dirt would be added and the new chief (his son) would live on top of the mound.

38. Mississippian (1000 A.D.-1540 A.D.) • TECHNOLOGY: • The bow and arrow was improved with the triangular arrowhead • Pottery was decorated with patterns. It was also made into many different shapes & forms. • In Etowah, “V’s” of rocks were put in the river to force fish to swim through the point of the “V”

39. Mississippian (1000 A.D.-1540 A.D.) • LEISURE TIME: “Chunkey”- A game in which two spears are thrown at a rolling stone. The one that lands closest to the stone (without hitting it) would score a point. “Bear Skull”- A game in which a skull is tied on top of a pole. The two teams try to take a dear skin ball and hit the skull with it. If they do, they get a point. If not, everyone goes for a rebound. Teams try to tackle players with the ball and steal it. If a team scores, then the other team gets the ball. “Stick Ball” – A game like our modern-day of lacrosse. Players use two netted sticks to pass the ball to teammates to get across a goal. Sometimes two chiefdoms might agree to play this game to settle a dispute rather than going to war.

40. Mississippian (1000 A.D.-1540 A.D.) • The Native Americans called the stickball game: “baggataway” (bag AT uh way). The game of lacrosse came from this game.

41. Mississippian (1000 A.D.-1540 A.D.) • Famous sites: • Etowah: located in NW GA (near Cartersville), this site has 7 mounds and used the “V” trap for fishing. The chief would live on the highest mound. • Ocmulgee: located in middle GA (near Macon), this site also has mounds, including an earth mound that was hollow so that meetings could be held in there. A raging fire would make it a “sweat lodge” and the “Black Drink” would make people vomit before entering. • Question: Why would sweating and purging with the Black Drink be used at these meetings? (Hint: think about symbolism)

42. Mississippian Musings • QUESTIONS TO PONDER: • Which is the best description of the Mississippian Indians? --Food Gatherer --Hunting Farmer --Master Farmer • What was the purpose for the Earth lodge? • What was the symbolism of the people making the mounds for the mico to live on top of it? Who is he closer to by living up there?

43. Why didn’t the Native Americans leave us some written clues? • “One interesting thing about all 4 of these cultures is that all of their story-telling, laws, religious beliefs, and values had to be taught verbally to each generation. No group created their own written language until Sequoyah did it for the Cherokees in the 1800’s.” --U.R. Ancient (archaeologist)

44. Myths: A Tool for Teaching • After a full day, a grandparent may sit down and tell a story to their grandchildren around the campfire. It usually tried to do 3 things: (3 “E’s”) • Entertain (no TV or I-pod) • Explain the “unexplainable” about nature ( “Why is there thunder? Why does a raccoon wear a mask? Why does a skunk stink?) • Enlighten children on values that are important to the culture (Honesty, bravery, sharing, equality, etc.)

45. Myths: A Tool for Teaching • Listen to this Cherokee myth about fire. Answer these questions after hearing the story: -How was it entertaining? -What things in nature were explained? -What values were learned? Georgia Story: Cherokee Myth

46. THE FIRST FIRE “Grandfather, where did fire come from?” “Oh, dear granddaughter, we have the animals of the forest to thank for fire. For in the beginning, there was no fire and the world was cold. Then the lightning came down and put fire in a hollow sycamore tree that grew on an island.” “The animals saw the smoke and knew that fire had come down from the sky. So, they held a council to see what they could do to get the fire and bring it back to the forest . It was decided that every animal that could swim or fly would try to retrieve it.

47. THE FIRST FIRE • “The raven went first because he was big and strong. But his feathers got scorched black by the fire, and he had to return without the fire.” • “The owl tried next, but the smoke nearly blinded him and the hot ashes blew up in his face, leaving white rings around his eyes. He, too, came home without the fire.” • The little snake then swam across and crawled in a hole at the bottom of the tree. But the hot coals made him slither back and forth in close quarters to get out; he moves now as a sidewinder.

48. THE FIRST FIRE • “Oh, grandfather, surely someone would be brave enough andsmart enough to get the fire for us! After all, we’re by a camp fire now, aren’t we?” • “Granddaughter, you are wise beyond your years. Yes, one animal did get the fire. It was a little water spider who wove a bowl out of a thread. She then lifted one little coal, put it in her little web bowl, and brought it back for all to share.” • And ever since, we have had fire, and the water spider still carries her web bowl wherever she goes.” (Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney).

49. Myths: A Tool for Teaching • Try to write your own Native American Myth. It should have these parts to it: • --Title • --Minimum One Page in length (use a lot of adjectives) • --Explain 1-2 things about nature that a child might want to know. (fire, animals characteristics, etc.) • --Teach 1-2 values that a grandparent might want a child to know. (Last sentence: Moral of story is…) • --Give a full-page illustration of your myth.

50. WHEW! We’re Done! • “ I hope you’ve learned a lot about the Native Americans of Georgia. Between your P.A.W.M. Pilot and your Indian Myth, I’m sure you will ‘wow’ your teacher with your knowledge!” • --U.R. Ancient (archaeologist)