The First Inhabitants

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The First Inhabitants
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The Bering Land Bridge

• Many scientists believe the first people came to
  North America across a land bridge at what is now
  the Bering Strait.

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Paleolithic

• Handaxe

• 10,000 BC 7,000 BC
• Paleolithic means old stone in Latin
• Name refers to their tools and weapons

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Stone Spearhead
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Various Tools and Weapons
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The Paleolithic Period

• Very little remains
• Hunters/gatherers
• Small communities
• Limited nutrition
• Hunted mammoths and large animals

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The Archaic Period

• 7,000 BC 500 BC
• Gathered local food and hunted smaller animals
• Weapons and tools improved
• Climate warmed
• Larger communities

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Spearheads
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Atlatl

• The atlatl was a carved stick that had a base at
  right angles to the shaft.

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Woodland Period

• 1,000 BC 1,000 AD
• Began to grow Maize, or corn
• Climate began to warm
• Better nutrition
• Village life began
• Began making pottery
• Depended on forests for food and shelter
• Invention of the bow and arrow

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Circular House of the Woodland Period
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Hunters
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Mississippian Period

• 800 AD 1500 AD
• Had ceremonial centers
• Were traders that looked for minerals, flints,
  and other valuable materials
• Green Corn Ceremony yearly celebration at corn
  harvest similar to our Christmas

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These reconstructions of Mississippian residences
are located at the Moundville Archaeological
Park.
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Built fences for protection
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Began building canoes
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