Ancient Communities

Chapter 3

Paleo-Indians30,000-15,000 B.C.

• The first humans came to North America from Asia.• During Ice Age, they walked across

Beringia, a land bridge.• From Beringia, they moved southward.• After Ice Age, water flooded Beringia

creating the Bering Strait.

Big-Game Hunters25,000-5,000 B.C.

• Reached OK as early as 11,000 years ago.• Domebo Site (Caddo County)=mammoth

with Clovis Points (spearheads)• Folsom Point (Harper County), almost as

old• Ate seeds, nuts, and roasted meat; had

fire

http://anthropologynet.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/woolly-mammoth.jpeg

Foragers5000 B.C.-A.D.1

• Still hunted, but did not follow migrating animals• In fall and winter, lived in caves• Killed smaller animals=better hunters

(atlatl)• Gathered food also• Petroglyphs

Early FarmersA.D. 1-1000

• Grew maize (corn), beans, pumpkins, and squash• Pottery• Had to be near rivers and creeks

Golden Age of Prehistory

About A.D. 900

Social Times

West differed from East

Plains Village FarmersA.D. 800-1400

• Traders• Skilled farmers• More effective hunters due to bow and arrow• Bison most important game• Celebrated and thought about mysteries and

meaning of life• Drier climate caused crop failure ending their

way of life

Caddoan Mound BuildersA.D. 1000-1500

• Made huge earthen mounds that were foundations of temples, public buildings, homes of chiefs, or burial sites for the wealthy• Spiro=11 mounds on Arkansas River (LeFlore

County)• Traders• Artisans• Religious, life after death• Drought too ended their society