The Earliest Americans Chapter 3
What happened before Oklahoma’s history was first recorded? First prehistoric people (those who lived before recorded history) reached the Americas millions of years after the dinosaurs became extinct First people in America here some 12,000 to 25,000 years ago Different theories Dino tracks near Black Mesa!!
How’d they get here? The first wheel?
Beringia land bridge
What do you think life will be like in 1000 years? archaeologist: scientist who study ancient cultures by examining artifacts (remains) left behind midden: ancient garbage dump useful for studying ancient cultures
The modern day midden …. How will scientists 1000 years from now be able to tell how we lived by the things we threw away?
The same way current scientists discover things about earlier peoples. Artifacts include people-used items such as – pottery, tools, bone, jewelry, & paintings Petroglyphs: pictures or symbols conveying an idea Petroglyphs Artifacts found on the surface of the ground or near a waterway
How do they do it? Archaeologists: “dig”, study and document - any fragment of an artifact discovered “Put the puzzle together”
Searching for clues…. Fossils: traces or remains of living things – animals, birds, & people Fossils Most common fossils: teeth, bones, or shells Carbon dating: isotope carbon 14 – analyzed to obtain age estimates on organic matter
Oklahoma reptile..
Paleo Indians (really old) 1961: scientists discover evidence of Paleo Indian hunters in Oklahoma (Domebo Kill Site)
1961: Columbian mammoth: bones found at the Cooperton site in Kiowa Countymammoth Speculation on human involvement
Soil deposits: date to about 30,000 years ago at Burnham site
Cooperton Woolly Mammoth Packard Camp Site Domebo Kill Site Jake Bluff Site
14-16 feet tall at the shoulders Remember these are BIG DUDES!!!!
The people ….
Folsom People Sites: Cooper Bonebed & the Waugh site as evidenced by various spear points and a painted bison skull Dalton people: lived some 9,000-10,000 years ago Skilled in clothing, containers, tools, & covers for shelters
Clovis People Named after the New Mexico site of first artifacts Known for their spears (spear point usually 3- 4 inches long) Important Clovis site near Stecker in Caddo County First hunted mammoths & then switched to bison
Archaic Culture Foragers Hunters and harvesters Made flour & stored it in baskets Pieces of bone & antler: became spear points, needles, awls, punches, and atlatl hooks Ate a variety of wild animals Knew how to start a fire with a wood drill What do these skills tell us about their lifestyle?
Woodland Culture About 2,000 years ago, Woodland culture emerged Planted, cultivated, & harvested First farms: in the Grand River area, the Ouachita Mts, the Cimarron River area, and along the Canadian & Washita Rivers Bow and arrow came in about this time and made hunting easier Why along the rivers?
Plains Village Farmers Lived in Oklahoma from about 1,200 to 500 years ago Grew corn, beans, squash, gourds, sunflowers, & tobacco Hunted bison & deer Also ate hickory nuts, walnuts, hackberry seed, wild cherries, plums, persimmons & others
The Moundbuilders Built the Spiro Mounds American equivalent of King Tut’s Tomb.Spiro Mounds Grossly pillaged and looted. Various historical backgrounds Lived in small farming villages Fine craftsmen: worked with stone, shell, & copper Fine craftsmen
Spiro mounds artifacts
Cahokia
Early Plains Indians Nomads Hunted buffalo, deer, antelope, rabbit, or whatever available Foraged for wild plant foods Lived in grass houses covered with buffalo hide May be ancestors of Wichitas
Chapter 3: Early Cultures in Our Land Section 2: Section 2: Historic Indian Cultures Historic Indian Cultures
Section 2: Historic Indian Cultures ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What elements of culture were exhibited by the Indians during first contact with Europeans?
Section 2: Historic Indian Cultures 1. First Encounters 2. Indian Culture - The Family - Food - Plants
First Encounters 1540: Coronado’s expedition first recorded contact between Indians & the Spanish 1542: Spanish monks at Kaw 1601: Juan de Oñate – explored western Oklahoma Mid-1700s: French hunters
Indian Culture Indians: believed in afterlife Cowards & thieves punished Life sacred to the Plains tribes Believed in Mother Earth Believed all things tied together Honesty expected
Indian Culture The Family Marriages permitted between related tribes & could have more than one wife Men: warriors & hunters Women: kept the home & family
Indian Culture Food Women: prepared the food Meats: eaten raw, roasted, boiled, or dried Wild animals were food source Other foods were wild honey & other natural foods
Indian Culture Plants Used many wildflowers & plants About 170 used by Indians Many used for medicine Much of their time spent in surviving Click here to return to Main Menu.