1 Early Inhabitants of North America PaleoArchaicWoodlandMississippian

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Early Inhabitants of Early Inhabitants of North AmericaNorth America

PaleoPaleoArchaicArchaic

WoodlandWoodlandMississippianMississippian

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Native Americans or Native Americans or 11stst Immigrants? Immigrants?

One of the first questions that scientists try to decide is where did the 1One of the first questions that scientists try to decide is where did the 1 stst people people come from that lived in “America” come from and why were they moving?come from that lived in “America” come from and why were they moving?

Were they always here? Were they always here? Did they come from Asia? Did they come from Asia? Did they come from South America? Did they come from South America? Did they sail over the Pacific? Did they sail over the Pacific?

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PALEO: ICE AGE PALEO: ICE AGE (Hollywood style)(Hollywood style)

The Ice Age locked up more of the world’s water in polar icecaps that allowed a land crossing over The Ice Age locked up more of the world’s water in polar icecaps that allowed a land crossing over the Bering Sea from Asia to North America. Also, similar archaeological sites on in such the Bering Sea from Asia to North America. Also, similar archaeological sites on in such faraway places on North American continent such as present-day California and Florida.faraway places on North American continent such as present-day California and Florida.

Animals of the Paleo TraditionAnimals of the Paleo Tradition

Prehistoric CamelPrehistoric Camel Wolly MammothWolly Mammoth

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Saber-Tooth TigerSaber-Tooth Tiger Giant SlothGiant Sloth

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Fossilized Skull of Saber-Tooth TigerFossilized Skull of Saber-Tooth TigerSaber-Tooth Tiger Attacks Giant Saber-Tooth Tiger Attacks Giant

SlothSloth

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PALEO PALEO (10,000-8,000 B.C(10,000-8,000 B.C..))“Very Old”“Very Old”

The “Band”: The “Band”: Because the survival of the Because the survival of the group depended on a successful hunt, the group depended on a successful hunt, the number of people in the band was usually number of people in the band was usually 20-30 people. 20-30 people.

Men: Men: The men would hunt together with The men would hunt together with large spears called “Clovis Points” and large spears called “Clovis Points” and stabbed the large animal until it died. They stabbed the large animal until it died. They would run up and try to stab the animal in would run up and try to stab the animal in its soft underbelly or joints. Once the its soft underbelly or joints. Once the animal died, the group would move near animal died, the group would move near the “kill site”. Young boys would hunt the “kill site”. Young boys would hunt when he was a teen.when he was a teen.

Women: Women: The women would quickly pack The women would quickly pack up the camp site and move to the “kill up the camp site and move to the “kill site”. The women and girls would help site”. The women and girls would help prepare the slain animal for all of its prepare the slain animal for all of its different uses.different uses.

FYI: FYI: The average age span of Paleo: 40-The average age span of Paleo: 40-45 years.45 years.

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Over these 2000+ years, Paleo Over these 2000+ years, Paleo groups chased big game into groups chased big game into North America. At the end of North America. At the end of this time, these animals began this time, these animals began to die off. Scientists have to die off. Scientists have many theories:many theories:

-End of Ice Age (early version -End of Ice Age (early version of Global Warming)of Global Warming)

-Overhunting-Overhunting

-Disease-Disease

Humans began to move less and Humans began to move less and develop cultural ties more.develop cultural ties more.

Paleo Camp:Paleo Camp:A Modern Version of a Paleo “Household”A Modern Version of a Paleo “Household”

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Paleo life ended when the animals became extinct.Paleo life ended when the animals became extinct.

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The “Clovis Point” was the The “Clovis Point” was the large spearhead that was used large spearhead that was used to stab the animal in the soft to stab the animal in the soft underbelly. (Clovis was the underbelly. (Clovis was the site where this technology was site where this technology was discovered discovered

These stone points later These stone points later became more delicate and became more delicate and lighter to be on throwing lighter to be on throwing spears (rather than stabbing spears (rather than stabbing spears). These were called spears). These were called “Folsom Points” and showed “Folsom Points” and showed how technology was how technology was improving.improving.

Paleo Humor: End of Ice Age Paleo Humor: End of Ice Age OROR

The 1The 1stst Global Warming? Global Warming?

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ARCHAIC ARCHAIC (8,000 -1,000 B.C.)(8,000 -1,000 B.C.)“Old”“Old”

Why the Change?Why the Change? When the Ice Age ended, the larger When the Ice Age ended, the larger

animals became extinct, and the people in animals became extinct, and the people in North America did not have to travel as far North America did not have to travel as far to hunt the smaller animals. So these to hunt the smaller animals. So these Archaic Indians moved on a more Archaic Indians moved on a more “seasonal” basis: winter on the seashore, “seasonal” basis: winter on the seashore, summer in the mountains might be a year’s summer in the mountains might be a year’s plan.plan.

Though these Indians were still hunters & Though these Indians were still hunters & food gatherers, they did live longer in an food gatherers, they did live longer in an area before moving. So, they lived in area before moving. So, they lived in groups of bandsgroups of bands, numbering 40-60 people , numbering 40-60 people and moved just a few times in a year.and moved just a few times in a year.

All tools continued to be made from wood, All tools continued to be made from wood, stone, or bone; no metal tools were used stone, or bone; no metal tools were used by these Native Americans. by these Native Americans.

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Innovations:Innovations: Stone BoilingStone Boiling: : Rocks were placed in a fire, and Rocks were placed in a fire, and

then moved with two forked then moved with two forked sticks into a pit that was lined sticks into a pit that was lined with an animal skin and filled with an animal skin and filled with water. The sticks would be with water. The sticks would be used to drop the rocks in the used to drop the rocks in the water. The rocks would make the water. The rocks would make the water boil and the vegetables water boil and the vegetables could be cooked!could be cooked!

----PotteryPottery: : As people needed less time to As people needed less time to gather food, they had time to gather food, they had time to invent things, such as simple invent things, such as simple pottery to use in cooking.pottery to use in cooking.

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Atlatl: Atlatl: A new weapon for hunting A new weapon for hunting smaller game was created: the atlatl.smaller game was created: the atlatl.

By shrinking the size of the spear, By shrinking the size of the spear, and transferring energy from the and transferring energy from the person to the atlatl to the spear, a person to the atlatl to the spear, a hunter could throw this weapon from hunter could throw this weapon from a great distance. It was a perfect a great distance. It was a perfect adaptation for hunting smaller game.adaptation for hunting smaller game.

FYI: FYI: An atlatl could throw a spear An atlatl could throw a spear the length of a football field… the length of a football field… on a on a straight line.straight line.

AtlatlAtlatl

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AtlatlAtlatl

Atlatl Throwing MotionAtlatl Throwing Motion Close-up View of AtlatlClose-up View of Atlatl

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AtlatlAtlatlHow does the weight help the atlatl’s How does the weight help the atlatl’s

aim & power?aim & power?Atlatl bringing home the bacon! (or at Atlatl bringing home the bacon! (or at

least the venison!)least the venison!)

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Atlatl…a short videoAtlatl…a short video

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Woodland Woodland (1000 B.C.- 1000 A.D.)(1000 B.C.- 1000 A.D.)

Eventually, people in Eventually, people in America made an important America made an important discovery. Besides discovery. Besides gathering food and hunting, gathering food and hunting, they could plant seeds and they could plant seeds and expect a corn crop to grow expect a corn crop to grow during the summer. The during the summer. The discovery of farming gives discovery of farming gives incentive for people to stay incentive for people to stay to harvest the crop.to harvest the crop.

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Because food was easier to Because food was easier to get, the need for movement get, the need for movement was reduced. The groups was reduced. The groups of bands (of the Archaic of bands (of the Archaic period) grew to be period) grew to be tribestribes (200-400) of people by the (200-400) of people by the Woodland period.Woodland period.

Men still hunted, and Men still hunted, and farming was left to the farming was left to the women.women.

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Woodland Woodland (1,000 B.C.- 1000 A.D.)(1,000 B.C.- 1000 A.D.)

Technology:Technology: Bow and ArrowBow and Arrow: for : for

hunting small game such hunting small game such as deer or squirrel. as deer or squirrel.

Dart/Blow Gun:Dart/Blow Gun: for for hunting very small game hunting very small game such as birds, rabbits, such as birds, rabbits, etc. etc.

Blow-GunBlow-Gun

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Bow and ArrowBow and Arrow

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Woodland Woodland (1,000 B.C.- 1000 A.D.)(1,000 B.C.- 1000 A.D.)

Examples of Woodland Examples of Woodland Tradition:Tradition: Hohokam (Southwest)Hohokam (Southwest) Anasazi (Southwest)Anasazi (Southwest) Rock Eagle (Southeast)Rock Eagle (Southeast)

Corn (maize) was the major Corn (maize) was the major crop in most areas.crop in most areas.

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Horticulture (Agriculture) Horticulture (Agriculture) Techniques:Techniques:

Girdling: Girdling: This is the process of This is the process of cutting down a tree with a stone axe. cutting down a tree with a stone axe. The Woodland Indian would cut a The Woodland Indian would cut a circle around the base of the tree circle around the base of the tree trunk. Eventually, the tree would die, trunk. Eventually, the tree would die, and could be pushed over easily.and could be pushed over easily.

Slash & Burn: Slash & Burn: This process involves This process involves cutting away all vegetation on the cutting away all vegetation on the ground, and then burning it. The soil ground, and then burning it. The soil can then be used for planting, or can then be used for planting, or allowed to grow back naturally. (The allowed to grow back naturally. (The young plants that grow there attract young plants that grow there attract deer, rabbits, etc. because those plants deer, rabbits, etc. because those plants are the best to eat)are the best to eat)

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Woodland LandmarkWoodland Landmark One of the signs of the Woodland One of the signs of the Woodland

period in Georgia is the Rock Eagle period in Georgia is the Rock Eagle Effigy Mound. Effigy Mound.

Quartz Rocks were piled 10 ft. high, Quartz Rocks were piled 10 ft. high, 102 feet in length, and 120 ft. wide. 102 feet in length, and 120 ft. wide.

Archaeologists think Rock Eagle Archaeologists think Rock Eagle might have been used as a religious might have been used as a religious center for many groups in the area.center for many groups in the area.

Rock Eagle TodayRock Eagle Today

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Mississippian Mississippian (1000 A.D.-1540 A.D.)(1000 A.D.-1540 A.D.)

As time went on, As time went on, cultures got even better cultures got even better at growing food. Where at growing food. Where the Woodland Indians the Woodland Indians grew corn (“maize”), grew corn (“maize”), the Mississippian the Mississippian Indians grew a variety Indians grew a variety of crops such as of crops such as pumpkin, squash, beans,pumpkin, squash, beans,

and many other crops.and many other crops.

EtowahEtowah

Etowah is a Etowah is a Mississippian chiefdom Mississippian chiefdom in Northwest Georgia in Northwest Georgia (near Cartersville).(near Cartersville).

Archeologists think that Archeologists think that the closer you lived to the closer you lived to the center, the more the center, the more important you were in important you were in the chiefdom.the chiefdom.

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Etowah’s Changing TechnologyEtowah’s Changing TechnologyV Trap: Rocks were placed in Etowah River for “Fast Food V Trap: Rocks were placed in Etowah River for “Fast Food Fishing”. The fish had to swim through the hole at in the “V”, so a Fishing”. The fish had to swim through the hole at in the “V”, so a basket could be held there to catch them for dinner!basket could be held there to catch them for dinner!

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OcmulgeeOcmulgee Ocmulgee Mounds are located Ocmulgee Mounds are located

near Macon. The mounds have near Macon. The mounds have one of the few hollow mounds one of the few hollow mounds that served as a meeting place for that served as a meeting place for the leaders of the chiefdom.the leaders of the chiefdom.

The Black Drink was consumed The Black Drink was consumed in the Earth Lodge (sweat lodge) in the Earth Lodge (sweat lodge) as part of the purification process- as part of the purification process- it made you throw up! Example: it made you throw up! Example: if you killed someone in battle, if you killed someone in battle, you needed to be rid of the you needed to be rid of the “evilness” of that deed!“evilness” of that deed!

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Because food was easily Because food was easily provided, group size grew to provided, group size grew to chiefdoms chiefdoms (2000+ people) (2000+ people) for this tradition. for this tradition.

The Chief was the spiritual The Chief was the spiritual & political leadersof the & political leadersof the chiefdom. He could be chiefdom. He could be carried down from his carried down from his mound on a “litter” (a seat mound on a “litter” (a seat carried between two poles carried between two poles by warriors).by warriors).

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He could be carried down He could be carried down from his mound on a “litter” from his mound on a “litter” (a seat carried between two (a seat carried between two poles by warriors). poles by warriors).

Effigy statues were often Effigy statues were often made and buried at the king made and buried at the king at the burial.at the burial.

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The chief lived on man-The chief lived on man-made mounds of dirt. Other made mounds of dirt. Other smaller mounds might be smaller mounds might be for a lesser chief (medicine for a lesser chief (medicine man) or a burial mound. man) or a burial mound.

When a chief died, his body When a chief died, his body & house might be burned & house might be burned on top on the mound. Then, on top on the mound. Then, more dirt would be added more dirt would be added and the new chief (his son) and the new chief (his son) would live on top of the would live on top of the mound.mound.

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TECHNOLOGY: TECHNOLOGY:

The bow and arrow was improved The bow and arrow was improved with the triangular arrowheadwith the triangular arrowhead

Pottery was decorated with Pottery was decorated with patterns. It was also made into patterns. It was also made into many different shapes & forms.many different shapes & forms.

Triangular ArrowheadsTriangular Arrowheads

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Famous sites:Famous sites:

EtowahEtowah: located in NW GA (near : located in NW GA (near Cartersville), this site has 7 mounds and Cartersville), this site has 7 mounds and used the “V” trap for fishing. The chief used the “V” trap for fishing. The chief would live on the highest mound.would live on the highest mound.

OcmulgeeOcmulgee: located in middle GA (near : located in middle GA (near Macon), this site also has mounds, Macon), this site also has mounds, including an earth mound that was hollow including an earth mound that was hollow so that meetings could be held in there. A so that meetings could be held in there. A raging fire would make it a “sweat lodge” raging fire would make it a “sweat lodge” and the “Black Drink” would make people and the “Black Drink” would make people vomit before entering. vomit before entering.

Question: Why would sweating and Question: Why would sweating and purging with the Black Drink be used at purging with the Black Drink be used at these meetings? (Hint: think about these meetings? (Hint: think about symbolism)symbolism)

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Time PeriodsTime Periods

When archaeologists study When archaeologists study past cultures, they estimate past cultures, they estimate when these people might when these people might have lived in Georgia. For have lived in Georgia. For example, the term, “Paleo” example, the term, “Paleo” means “very old” and refers means “very old” and refers to any person who was alive to any person who was alive in Georgia during that time in Georgia during that time period. So, Paleo is more of period. So, Paleo is more of a time period than a name of a time period than a name of a tribe.a tribe.

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Indiana Jones v. CSIIndiana Jones v. CSI

In the movie, In the movie, Raiders of Raiders of the Lost Ark,the Lost Ark, Indiana Indiana Jones plays a scientist Jones plays a scientist who looks for valuable who looks for valuable artifacts of the past at artifacts of the past at archaeological sites archaeological sites (while fighting bad (while fighting bad guys). These clues to guys). These clues to the past can be found in the past can be found in “middens” or trash piles “middens” or trash piles that were left behind.that were left behind.

Anthropologists are like Anthropologists are like the experts on the experts on CSICSI, who look for how different crime scenes may be related. They also try to They also try to describe how one describe how one culture is different from culture is different from another. They explain another. They explain how humans changed how humans changed their living styles over their living styles over time.time.

Georgia Story: Archaeology

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SURVIVAL 101SURVIVAL 101

Archaeologists want to know Archaeologists want to know how cultures solved our how cultures solved our

basic needs:basic needs:F F ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

W W ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

S S ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

By examining the artifacts left By examining the artifacts left behind, the archaeologist can behind, the archaeologist can make educated guesses about make educated guesses about

how people lived.how people lived.

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Question for the Day: Question for the Day: Where’s the Food?Where’s the Food?

Because food was the main Because food was the main concern of each day, people were concern of each day, people were always looking for ways to make always looking for ways to make the search easier and less time-the search easier and less time-consuming. As anthropologists consuming. As anthropologists study the past, they describe study the past, they describe cultures by how they got their cultures by how they got their food. The first category is:food. The first category is:

FOOD GATHERERSFOOD GATHERERS: these : these people hunted, fished, people hunted, fished, collected nuts, and ate collected nuts, and ate whatever food that they could whatever food that they could find as they walked about the find as they walked about the land.land.

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As time went on, people As time went on, people wanted to have some control wanted to have some control of where they found their of where they found their food. They grew tired of food. They grew tired of packing up and moving packing up and moving every time food got scarce every time food got scarce in an area. in an area.

This led to the 2This led to the 2ndnd category category that anthropologists use to that anthropologists use to describe a culture:describe a culture:

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HUNTING FARMERS:HUNTING FARMERS: these people continued to be food these people continued to be food

gatherers but they added one great gatherers but they added one great new skill: the ability to farm. new skill: the ability to farm. FarmingFarming means you can decide means you can decide that a crop such as “yellow corn” that a crop such as “yellow corn” can be grown in a certain spot, can be grown in a certain spot, and it will (with some work) and it will (with some work) appear there to provide food for appear there to provide food for all at some point during the year.all at some point during the year.

That is a huge burden to be lifted That is a huge burden to be lifted if you if you KNOWKNOW you’ll have food you’ll have food growing in a certain spot during growing in a certain spot during the year. When the crop does the year. When the crop does comes to harvest, food will be comes to harvest, food will be plentiful.plentiful.

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Eventually, people got Eventually, people got very proficient at very proficient at growing their food. growing their food. Diversity in crops Diversity in crops occurred, and groups occurred, and groups quit moving around so quit moving around so much.much.

Cultures got more Cultures got more complex as people had complex as people had more free time than more free time than every before. every before.

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MASTER FARMERS:MASTER FARMERS:

These people still hunted, These people still hunted, fished, and gathered fished, and gathered food like their food like their ancestors; but the main ancestors; but the main “staple” of their diet “staple” of their diet came from their great came from their great ability to grow crops ability to grow crops wherever they wished.wherever they wished.

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SO… Time to play “Detective”SO… Time to play “Detective”

As you learned about the four time periods (or As you learned about the four time periods (or eras) of Native Americans in Georgia that eras) of Native Americans in Georgia that lived before the Europeans arrived, think about lived before the Europeans arrived, think about how they collected their food.how they collected their food.

Food Gatherers: hunt, fish, collect (no farms)Food Gatherers: hunt, fish, collect (no farms) Hunting Farmers: hunt, fish, collect, farm cornHunting Farmers: hunt, fish, collect, farm corn Master Farmers: hunt, fish, collect and grow a Master Farmers: hunt, fish, collect and grow a

variety of cropsvariety of crops to feed thousands of people to feed thousands of people

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Why didn’t the Native Americans Why didn’t the Native Americans leave us some written clues?leave us some written clues?

““One interesting thing about One interesting thing about all 4 of these cultures is that all 4 of these cultures is that all of their story-telling, all of their story-telling, laws, religious beliefs, and laws, religious beliefs, and values had to be taught values had to be taught verbally to each generation. verbally to each generation. No group created their own No group created their own written language until written language until Sequoyah did it for the Sequoyah did it for the Cherokees in the 1800’s.”Cherokees in the 1800’s.”--U.R. Ancient --U.R. Ancient (archaeologist)(archaeologist)

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Myths or Oral Traditions: A Myths or Oral Traditions: A Tool for TeachingTool for Teaching

After a full day, a After a full day, a grandparent may sit down grandparent may sit down and tell a story to their and tell a story to their grandchildren around the grandchildren around the campfire. It usually tried to campfire. It usually tried to do 3 things: (3 “E’s”)do 3 things: (3 “E’s”) EntertainEntertain (no TV or I-pod) (no TV or I-pod) ExplainExplain the “unexplainable” the “unexplainable”

about nature ( “Why is there about nature ( “Why is there thunder? Why does a raccoon thunder? Why does a raccoon wear a mask? Why does a wear a mask? Why does a skunk stink?)skunk stink?)

EnlightenEnlighten children on values children on values that are important to the that are important to the culture (Honesty, bravery, culture (Honesty, bravery, sharing, equality, etc.)sharing, equality, etc.)

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Myths or Oral Traditions: A Myths or Oral Traditions: A Tool for TeachingTool for Teaching

Listen to this Cherokee Listen to this Cherokee tradition about the First tradition about the First Strawberries…Strawberries…

-How was it entertaining?-How was it entertaining?

-What things in nature were -What things in nature were explained?explained?

-What values were learned?-What values were learned?

A Tradition is Born…A Tradition is Born…

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Documents

1 Early Inhabitants of North America PaleoArchaicWoodlandMississippian