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With
man now living in North America for over 10,000 years, he had
established himself from north to south and from coast to coast. The
number of people living on the continent was astonishing, as were the
number of villages that had sprung up in virtually every area. they
were along the major river valleys as well as the minor tributaries
and streams. The Woodland Period was a prosperous time for ancient
Americans, beginning with the end of the Archaic Period around 1000 BC
and lasting until approximately 900 AD. Woodland people learned and
utilized agricultural techniques and produced large varieties of maize
and other crops as a substantial part of their food source. The
Woodland Period saw cultures such as the Adena and Hopewell who would
learn to build earthen burial and ceremonial mounds. The Woodland
Period would become known to modern scholars as the period of the
Mound Builders. Many different things were happening around the world
at this time and it was amazing to see the differences both
technologically and socially. For comparison, to the Far East, the
bible was written and the pyramids were being built at around this
time.
While
the hunting, gathering, and fishing continued into the Woodland Period
the same way it had been taking place for thousands of previous years
in the Archaic Period, the advent of food cultivation was a huge
technological breakthrough for the people in Woodland times.. This was
significant as it not only reduced their dependency upon wild plants
and animals, but it also gave them much more control over the amount
of food they would have in store at any given time. While hunting and
fishing were still major factors in their lives, the quest for food
was not as critical as it was during the earlier time periods. One
evidence of this fact was the time and effort that was dedicated to
building projects. It is during this time period that the
construction of burial mounds began.
Woodland
Villages While
man banded together in smaller groups and semi-permanent villages
during the previous time periods, now the population allowed, and
probably demanded, that Woodland era people band together in larger
groups, forming larger, more permanent villages. Along with this
grouping began the development, most likely based on need, for a
societal structure with leadership positions. Woodland people lived in
circular huts with a domed roof made from saplings stuck into the
ground with a bark or matted exterior. Also being developed were
ceremonial rituals and mortuary practices. The archaeological record
based on artifacts recovered from various mounds and burial sites
indicate that the mortuary ceremonies during this period were complex
and elaborate. The era of the Adena people had evolved, and after them
the Hopewell - both leaving behind evidence of their burial rituals in
the form of mounds which can still be seen across much of America's
landscape today.
Woodland
Pipes Smoking
continued as an important ceremonial and pastime activity, and the pipes
used by the Woodland people became more ornate through time. The pipes
from this period shows the Woodland Era Craftsmanship with more
stylization and carvings as well as a change in overall style. Carved
from a single block of Catlinite, the McAdam bird
effigy platform pipe is an example of the Native
American's skill and artistry. Known as the
"McAdams Pipe", it was recovered in southern
Illinois. |
McAdam Effigy Pipe
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Darts
and Knives While
the atl-atl was still the predominant weapon used during the Woodland
Period, the points that tipped the end of their darts took on new
variations in style, changing first to a stemmed basal style. These
stemmed Woodland darts had a uniquely styled base that differs from
those of previous periods. With an elongated base, it was easier to
attach the points into the dart stem. The holding power was greater with
less side to side movement during use. The knives used during this time
period also favored this longer style basal design. Later in the
Woodland Period, the Hopewell people reverted back to their own
variation of a corner notch style point |
Snyder
- A large Hopewell point made of Burlington chert |
Celts
and Axes Another
tool that ancient Native Americans continued to use into the Woodland
Period was the celt, or un-grooved axe. While the basic design remains
the same as Archaic Era Celts, the Woodland people changed the style of
the back end, or poll end to a more elongated and tapered style, while
the later Woodland people preferred a square poll end. Top
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