Georgia’s Early Georgia’s Early Native Tribes and Native Tribes and

Civilizations Civilizations

Georgia’s Prehistoric Time Georgia’s Prehistoric Time Periods Periods

1.1. Paleo–Indian Period (10,000 – 8,000 B.C.E)Paleo–Indian Period (10,000 – 8,000 B.C.E)

2.2. Archaic Period (8,000 – 1,000 B.C.E.)Archaic Period (8,000 – 1,000 B.C.E.)a.a. Early: 8,000 - 5,000 B.C.E.Early: 8,000 - 5,000 B.C.E.b.b. Middle: 5,000 - 4,000 B.C.E.Middle: 5,000 - 4,000 B.C.E.c.c. Late: 4,000 – 1,000 B.C.E.Late: 4,000 – 1,000 B.C.E.

3.3. Woodland Period (1,000 B.C.E - 1,000 C.E.)Woodland Period (1,000 B.C.E - 1,000 C.E.)

4.4. Mississippian Period (1,000 – 1,600 C.E.)Mississippian Period (1,000 – 1,600 C.E.)

Paleo-Indian PeriodPaleo-Indian Period They were They were

Hunter/Gatherers Hunter/Gatherers – Their diet mainly consisted Their diet mainly consisted

of giant bison, mastodons, of giant bison, mastodons, giant sloths, small animals, giant sloths, small animals, nuts, and wild fruit and nuts, and wild fruit and vegetables. vegetables.

– They used animal bones They used animal bones and skins to make weapons, and skins to make weapons, clothing and shelterclothing and shelter

Also used stones to make Also used stones to make tools and spears.tools and spears.– Paleolithic = Old Stone AgePaleolithic = Old Stone Age

Also invented and used Also invented and used the the AtlatlAtlatl – a tool to throw – a tool to throw spears fartherspears farther

Clovis Points & AtlatlClovis Points & Atlatl

Paleo-Indian Period (cont.)Paleo-Indian Period (cont.) These natives were These natives were nomadsnomads; ;

they had to constantly move they had to constantly move from place to place, and lived in from place to place, and lived in bands (groups) of 25-50 peoplebands (groups) of 25-50 people– They lived in tents/shelters made They lived in tents/shelters made

from animal skinsfrom animal skins

Because they moved so much Because they moved so much to follow their food, there are to follow their food, there are not many artifacts left in any not many artifacts left in any one place.one place.– They buried their deadThey buried their dead

Their life span (how long you Their life span (how long you live) was around 30 to 40 years. live) was around 30 to 40 years. Why?Why?

Archaic PeriodArchaic Period Large game animals became Large game animals became

extinct, so the Archaic people extinct, so the Archaic people began to depend on a began to depend on a combination of hunting, gathering, combination of hunting, gathering, and fishing. and fishing. – Deer, bear, rabbits, fish, oysters, Deer, bear, rabbits, fish, oysters,

reptiles, berries, and fruits. reptiles, berries, and fruits. – Discovered Discovered horticulturehorticulture in the Late in the Late

PeriodPeriod The science of cultivating plants & The science of cultivating plants &

treestrees

Archaic Indians were nomads, but Archaic Indians were nomads, but traveled less than Paleo-Indians.traveled less than Paleo-Indians.– They moved each season to follow food They moved each season to follow food

sourcessources– Small groups joined to establish campsSmall groups joined to establish camps

Archaic Period (cont.)Archaic Period (cont.) The Archaic people still The Archaic people still

used the tools of the Paleo, used the tools of the Paleo, but their tools also but their tools also included: choppers, drills, included: choppers, drills, and chipping tools from and chipping tools from deer antlers; hooks from deer antlers; hooks from animal bones, and a animal bones, and a grooved axe made from grooved axe made from sticks & stonessticks & stones

Created pottery from Created pottery from moss, grass, and roots moss, grass, and roots – Used to store, cook, and serve Used to store, cook, and serve

foodfood

Possibly believed in an Possibly believed in an afterlife (religion).afterlife (religion).– Buried their dead with items Buried their dead with items

that were important in life.that were important in life.Oyster shells or Midden near Augusta

Woodland PeriodWoodland Period Part of the Neolithic Period Part of the Neolithic Period

– Neolithic = New Stone Age.Neolithic = New Stone Age.

Due to the creation of the bow and Due to the creation of the bow and arrow, the Woodland people were arrow, the Woodland people were huntershunters

Agriculture developed during this Agriculture developed during this periodperiod– Grew squash, wild greens, and sunflowersGrew squash, wild greens, and sunflowers

The development of agriculture caused The development of agriculture caused the development of Tribesthe development of Tribes– They built dome-shaped huts from small They built dome-shaped huts from small

treestrees

Woodland Period (cont.)Woodland Period (cont.)

The Woodland Indians The Woodland Indians built mounds, made of built mounds, made of earth and stoneearth and stone– The mounds contained The mounds contained

jewelry, pottery, and jewelry, pottery, and other important itemsother important items

The mounds were used The mounds were used

for religious for religious ceremonies & burial ceremonies & burial purposes.purposes.– It is believed that this It is believed that this

group was very religiousgroup was very religious

Mississippian Period Mississippian Period Part of the Neolithic PeriodPart of the Neolithic Period

The Natives lived near rivers and grew The Natives lived near rivers and grew most of their food (agriculture)most of their food (agriculture)– Grew maize (corn), beans, pumpkins, squashGrew maize (corn), beans, pumpkins, squash– Also hunted and fished Also hunted and fished

Tools – they used tools of the earlier Tools – they used tools of the earlier periods but they invented farming tools periods but they invented farming tools as well.as well.

Lived in large villages with mounds. Lived in large villages with mounds. – Protected by moats & palisades (wooden Protected by moats & palisades (wooden

fences)fences)

Had a “government” led by a Chief Had a “government” led by a Chief

Mississippian Period (cont.)Mississippian Period (cont.) Mounds were

created for religious purposes– to bury the dead

and store ceremonial items with the dead

Mounds built near Mounds built near the Etowah River the Etowah River (Cartersville), and (Cartersville), and the Ocmulgee the Ocmulgee River in south River in south GeorgiaGeorgia

THE ENDTHE END