The retreat of glaciers and the original people of
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The retreat of glaciers and the original people of the Great Lakes Image: www. seekingmichigan.org) The last glacial period Commonly called the last “ice age” The last of many historic glacial periods Pleistocene period Ice covered most of Canada and much of the northern United States Last of the ice retreated from our area roughly 10,000 years ago (Image: www. cosmographicresearch.org) (Image: www. threatsummary.forestthreats.org) The last glacial period Glaciers responsible for the geologic features in our area Their movement and mass carved out the basins of the Great Lakes Glacial melting filled the basins Kettle lakes: shallow lakes or ponds created by glaciers and filled with melted ice Common across the Great Lakes area The last glacial period (Image: www. Geo.msu.edu) The last glacial period Glaciers responsible for the geologic features in our area Morraines: hills of gravel and rocks that were pushed along by the glaciers Many morraines were “left behind” when the ice melted Now are visible as hills and often follow a linear pattern The last glacial period Glacial erratic: Boulders pushed along great distances by glaciers Often seem strangely out-of-place (Image: www. staudacher.blogspot.com) The last glacial period (Image: www. dwhike.com) The last glacial period Global sea levels were lower than they are now Much of the world’s water was tied up, frozen in massive glaciers Same concept is true today – ice determines sea levels If remaining glaciers and ice sheets melt, sea levels will rise Lower sea levels meant that many landmasses were connected Bering land bridge (Image: www. polartrec.com) The last glacial period Bering Land Bridge Alaska and Russia were connected! This is believed to be the migration route for many prehistoric animals and people As glaciers melted, sea levels rose again Alaska and Russia again separated, as they are now After the glaciers Around 10,000 years ago the glaciers disappeared from our area Gradual warming of climate Early forests began to develop in Michigan Boreal forests: Dominated by spruce and fir With the forests came animals to inhabit them (Image: www. amersol.edu.pe) After the glaciers Continued warming of climate Forests gradually transitioned into those we see now Boreal species remained but broad-leaf species migrated into area Transitional zone between northern and southern forest types Diversity increased Varied habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including humans The Native people Paleo-Indian era 12,000 years ago to 10,000 years ago Followed the retreat of the glaciers The original immigrants into North America Ancestors likely crossed the Bering land bridge from Asia into North America The Native people Paleo-Indian era Not much is known about these people Few archaeological remains Likely lived in small, scattered groups Hunted large mammals Created stone tools out of native materials Paleo-Indians (Image: www. ohiohistorycentral.org) Paleo-Indians (Image: www. thefurtrapper.com) The Archaic period 10,000 years ago to 3,000 years ago Continued environmental changes – during this period the landscape in Michigan took its current form Many technological developments Throwing spear Axes Early canoes, sleds, fish-hooks, traps, etc. Skilled hunters and gatherers The Archaic period Large burial sites Many artifacts buried with bodies Beads, points, knifes, etc. Extensive copper mining Evidence of many shallow mine pits Used huge rock hammers to free copper Flattened, formed, and used for many tools More for everyday life than for decoration The Archaic period (Image: www. Castlemuseum.org) The Woodland period 3,000 years ago to first European contact Many new elements: Domesticated plants for agriculture Trading and cultural influence from the south: The Hopewell intrusion Life and culture flourished during this era The Woodland period Late Woodland era developments Improved diet, variety of food, and leisure time Agriculture in the southern Great Lakes area Corn, beans, squash Bow and arrow Larger villages, with comfortable homes Manufactured a wide range of items Pottery, baskets, ceramic pipes, snowshoes, sleds, canoes, and fishing equipment The Woodland period These societies generally had minimal impacts on their environments Relatively small populations Well-adapted to local conditions and resources Agriculture in southern regions Hunting & gathering in northern regions Most impacts limited to small clearings in forests The Anishinaabe culture “The Original People” Ancestors of today’s Native Americans in Michigan Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Ojibwa: Collectively known as the “People of the Three Fires” Strong relationships between the three groups Similar language of Algonquin origin The Anishinaabe culture Oral history states that they migrated from areas to the east – possibly the Atlantic coast of Canada Settled in the Great Lakes during the Woodland Period The area offered vast water resources and abundant wild rice Water is very sacred! The Anishinaabe culture The Anishinaabe culture Several groups continued expansion beyond the Great Lakes, as far west as the northern plains In our area: Ojibwa (also called “Chippewa” in some areas) Strong cultural, social, and economic influences across much of Michigan The Anishinaabe culture Chippewa wigwam (Image: http://www.firstpeople.us/) The Anishinaabe culture Birchbark canoe (Image: http://www. d.umn.edu/) The Anishinaabe culture Wild rice harvesting (Image: http://www. d.umn.edu/) The Anishinaabe culture Lifestyles very well-adapted to the Great Lakes environment Food from numerous sources, throughout the changing seasons Hunting Fishing Gathering wild plants Collecting syrup The Anishinaabe culture Many uses for virtually all materials available from the forests Medicines Tools Lodgings “Art” Spiritual significance and respect “Manitou” The Anishinaabe culture Early 1600’s: First contact with European explorers French Mostly trappers rather than permanent settlers Trading relationships established ...to be continued...
