Woodland 1,000 B.C .- A.D. 1,000

The Woodland Period During the Woodland Period, people began to move around less and settle down more.

Food Start of agriculture – corn (maize), squash, gourds, sunflowers, beans Deer and other small game Nuts and seeds

Shelter Sturdy houses in villages Beginning of tribes

Archaeological evidence, in the form of postmolds, indicates that dwellings were becoming more permanent.

While primitive pottery was created in the Archaic period, pottery making was perfected during the Woodland period. Early clay pottery was reinforced with moss or grass, to hold to together as it was being fired.

Later, small rocks were added to hold it together Later, small rocks were added to hold it together. The pottery was designed with the impressions of material or with designs drawn with a sharp stick.

Pipes first begin to appear in the Archaic period, but they are most often associated with the Woodland Stage. As people began to settle into permanent village settings, a more elaborate ceremonial life seems to have evolved. Smoking from elaborate pipes became part of this new ritualism. The effigy pipe pictured above represents a dog and is made of greenstone.

Effigies are carvings or decorations that are in the shape of animals or people. They are artistic and are believed to hold spiritual meaning as well. One effigy mound in Georgia is Rock Eagle.

Most effigy sculpture depicts people:

Burial mounds were built during several periods, but conical mounds are most often associated with the Woodland Stage. The Southeast is dotted with numerous conical mounds from this period. Archaeologists believe that most of these mounds were used for ceremonial purposes.

One of the most important developments of the Woodland Stage is the invention of the bow and arrow. The bow and arrow allowed hunters the opportunity to hunt small game like squirrel, rabbit, and small birds with the same weapon that they used to hunt deer and turkey.

During the Woodland stage, the leaders of the villages were buried with items that had been traded with other groups. In the Southeast, leaders were buried with copper beads and ear spools that came from the Great Lakes. Some were carefully buried in mounds with fine daily items, food, and other valuable objects.

Evidence of Religion Burial mounds Rock Eagle (effigy – mounds or other objects shaped like animals) ceremonial objects, jewelry

Snapshots of Woodland-Indian Life Evidence of long-distance trading Snapshots of Woodland-Indian Life

The Woodland Period The Mound-Builders! Dates Weapons 1,000 B.C. – 1,000 A.D. Weapons Bow and Arrow – better accuracy/saves time Arrowheads become smaller and sharper Food Beginning of Horticulture Seeds are saved for planting Nuts, corn, squash, and bottle-gourd First to depend on agriculture (leading to permanent dwelling) Small game hunted Dwellings More sturdy houses as small groups join together and form tribes Flat-topped mounds for gathering/ceremonies Animal effigy mounds – Rock Eagle created in 200 A.D. Religion Burial mounds with more elaborate tombs containing jewelry, pottery, figurines, and ceremonial objects