Early Cultures in America
Archaeology
Artifact: remains of the past left by previous human activity
Archaeology: the study of the past using material evidence such as artifacts
Archaeological discoveries of early Indian settlements have been made in southeastern Virginia, such as at Cactus Hill.
Cactus Hill:
Located on the Nottoway River in southeastern Virginia
Archaeologists have found evidence that humans lived at Cactus Hill as early as 18,000 years ago
That makes it one of the oldest archaeological sites in North America
American Indians
Where American Indians Lived:
The Inuit lived in present-day Alaska and northern Canada, where the temperature is below freezing much of the year
The Kwakiutl lived on the Pacific Northwest coast, which has a rainy, mild climate
The Lakota people lived in the interior of the United States, called the Great Plains, which is made up of dry grasslands
The Pueblo tribes lived in the Southwest in present-day New Mexico and Arizona, which are desert areas
The Iroquois lived in northeast North America, called the Eastern Woodlands, which is heavily forested
Resources
Resources also influenced how American Indian groups met their basic needs.
Types of Resources:
Natural resources: things that come directly from nature
Fish, wild animals, crops, etc.
Human resources: people working to produce goods and services
Fisherman, hunters, etc.
Capital resources: goods produced and used to make other goods and services
Canoes, bows, spears, etc.