1. During the last Ice Age, the sea level was much lower than it is today. Scientists believed that a land bridge connected Asia and America across the Bering Strait. Bands of people crossed the land bridge in search of animals for food. Animals that we once thought only lived in Africa and Asia once lived in North America too.

2.   Paleo Indians are the earliest known culture and lasted until about 10,000 years ago.  The word “ Paleo ” comes from Greek, and means “very old” or “long ago”.  We can identify early peoples by the materials they used to make knives, scrapers, and points for spears.  Most tools and spear points used by this culture were made from stone ; giving us the reason we refer to this period as the Paleolithic age (old stone age). Paleo Indians

3.   The atlatl ; a smooth stone sling-like implement used for throwing darts more accurately than by hand.  Think of this tool as a hand-held missile launcher.  This enabled the Paleo Indians to kill prey from farther away, rather than forcing them to get too close and cause potential injury. Paleo Indian Inventions

4.   The Paleo people were nomadic (roaming) hunters who wandered from place to place; following herds of large animals.  Hunters would use long wooden spears to kill big game for food such as: Bison, Ground Sloths, and Mastodons.  Archaeologists have found many animal bones at the bases of cliffs; leading them to believe the Paleo people would chase the large prey over cliffs to kill them. Paleo Indians Lifestyle

5.   Based on the remains, Paleo people lived in groups of about 25 to 50 people.  Not many artifacts have been left by these people due to their nomadic lifestyle.  Archaeologists have found artifacts of the Paleo peoples in the Savannah River area, the Ocmulgee River area, and the Flint River near Albany. Paleo Indians Dwellings

6.   The Archaic period (archaic meaning “old”) included three distinct time spans: early, middle, and late. Archaic Indians

7.   This period lasted from about 8000 B.C. to 5000 B.C.  Although the Archaic people still hunted big game ; these animals were becoming extinct due to climate changes and over killing.  Archaic people began to make their spears smaller to hunt smaller game such as: Deer, Bear, Turkey, Rabbit, Reptiles, Game Birds, and Fish.  Useful inventions such as choppers, drills, and chipping tools were made from deer antlers.  Also, stone artifacts unnatural to Georgia have been found in our state leading archaeologists to believe trade was occurring.  Evidence suggests that Archaic people moved each season to find food for their people. Early Archaic Period

8.   Geographers tell us that by 5000 B.C., when the middle Archaic period began, the area grew warm and dry.  Water levels receded and the people began to eat shellfish (mussels and clams).  Hooks made from animal bones were invented during this period.  Hooks were sometimes found at the end of long spears and weighted with stones. This made the spears easier to throw at long distances, therefor making it easier to hunt.  Finding more food meant the people did not have to move as often.  Evidence also suggests that during this period, small groups joined together to establish camps. Middle Archaic Period

9.   This period lasted from about 4000 B.C. to 1000 B.C.  A common artifact found from this period is the grooved axe.  Archaic Indians made this tool by putting a stone axe head on a wooden handle.  Excavations indicated that axes were used to clear trees and bushes around their camps. Late Archaic Period

10.   The late Archaic people saved seeds to re-plant and grow new crops for the next season. We believe during this period horticulture was developed.  By 2500 B.C. the climate had turned cooler and wetter (much like Georgia’s climate today).  This change in climate allowed rivers, streams, and lakes to fill; changing the diet of these people to shellfish dominate.  Food preparation changed as well; clay containers were used for storing, cooking, and serving food.  Learning to make pottery is believed to be the biggest contribution from the Archaic people to Native American culture. Late Archaic Period