Ancient Communities Chapter 3
Paleo-Indians 30,000-15,000 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 Hunters 25,000-5,000 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
Foragers 5000 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 Farmers A.D 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 Farmers A.D 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 Builders A.D 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