Grade 4, Kentucky Unit, Lesson 4
Resource 4A
Change Over Time: Native Americans
Informational Passages
Paleoindian Period 12,000B.C to 8,000 B.C.
Geography and Climate
Paleoindians arrived in Kentucky more than 12,000 years ago from Asia. The prefix paleo means “very old.” They arrived in
Kentucky by either walking or taking boats. They traveled along a land bridge that once connected Asia and North America.
During this time, the climate in Kentucky was much colder and wetter than it is today. Trees and large lakes covered parts of
Kentucky. Ice covered most of the northern part of the United States. It was a challenge to live in the icy climate.
Hunting, Gathering, and Food
Paleoindians had to hunt or gather the food they ate. Large game such as mammoths, mastodon, or bison roamed the area.
These animals not only provided meat for food, but also skins for shelter and clothing. In addition they gathered nuts and
different kinds of wild fruits and plants.
Paleoindians used well-crafted spear points. These stone tool makers were remarkable craftsmen. They also made tools out of
antlers, bone, and wood. These tools were often used for scraping hides and shaping and carving wood.
Native-American Life
During this time period (10,000 B.C. to 8,000 B.C.), people lived in small groups, which moved frequently. Once they hunted and
gathered everything they could in one location, they moved to the next location. They carried their belongings in skin bags and
built temporary shelters for protection from the elements.
Grade 4, Kentucky Unit, Lesson 4
Resource 4A
Change Over Time: Native Americans
Informational Passages
Archaic Period 8,000 B.C. to 1,000 B.C.
Geography and Climate
The Archaic Period is the longest period of Native-American life in Kentucky. Archaic also means “old,” but not as old as Paleo.
During this period, the climate had become more like it is today. The Ice Age had ended. The climate became warmer and drier.
As the ice melted, new rivers and lakes were formed. Changes in climate led to the extinction of large animals, such as the
mastodon and giant bison that the Paleoindians had once depended on.
Hunting, Gathering, and Food
With the extinction of these animals, Archaic hunters focused on smaller game such as deer, turkey, elk, bear, squirrel, raccoon,
and rabbit. These hunters used a new weapon for hunting called the atlatl. The atlatl was a spear thrower. It helped hunters
through spears farther and faster. This weapon improved the accuracy of their throwing.
During this period, the Native Americans continued to collect wild plants for food and medicine. They began to grow small
gardens. They came to rely more on plants for food. The change in weather allowed more plants to grow. By 1,000 B.C., some
Archaic peoples had begun to experiment with growing their own food. They grew plants like squash, goosefoot, and sunflower
near their camps. Before long, Archaic women were planting seeds in areas cleared especially for that purpose. Archaic groups
made baskets for collecting, transporting, and storing their food.
Native-American Life
During this period (8,000 B.C. to 1,000 B.C.), the population increased. The Archaic people were traveling less. The people
tended to live in one place for longer periods of time than they had during the Paleoindian Period. However, they continued to
have a mobile lifestyle, never staying in one place for more than a few months. These camps were located in areas where there
were a variety of resources. The Archaic people were involved in trade.
Grade 4, Kentucky Unit, Lesson 4
Resource 4A
Change Over Time: Native Americans
Informational Passages
Woodland Period 1,000 B.C. to A.D. 1,000
Geography and Climate
There were no major climate changes during this period. However, as time passed, Natives during the Woodland Period
continued to adapt and to modify the environment to meet their needs.
Hunting, Planting, and Food
During the Woodland period, more time was devoted to gardening. Plants became an important part of the diet. Plants, such as
squash, sunflower, and goosefoot, were common. The Woodland people were the first to consistently garden in Kentucky. They
used digging, sticks, and fire to prepare gardens. They also hunted a variety of animals, fished, and collected wild plants.
Late in the Woodland Period, the bow and arrow was developed. For the first time small, true arrowheads replaced spear points.
The bow and arrow worked even better than the atlatl. The use of ground stone tools continued. They used these tools to help
them process plant food.
Native-American Life
During the Woodland Period (1,000 B.C. to A.D. 1,000), Native people began to make pottery. Early pottery was not easily
portable. It was thick and heavy and could break easily. However, pottery had advantages. It could be used for cooking and could
be made water-tight. Also, using bowls and pots allowed them to be able to cook directly over fire. Extra food could be stored.
This meant they could store food for the cold winter months when the crops would not be growing. The Woodland people
continued to use baskets, gourds, and other containers.
The Woodland people lived in larger communities. Males and females both played important social roles in the clans. Trade
increased during this period.
Changes in religious and ceremonial life during the Woodland Period are reflected by the construction of mounds. The mounds
were used as burial sites. Community leaders were buried in mounds, often placed in tombs, along with items such as food,
weapons, jewelry, and clothing.
Grade 4, Kentucky Unit, Lesson 4
Resource 4A
Change Over Time: Native Americans
Informational Passages
Late Prehistoric Period A.D. 1,000 to 1,750
Geography and Climate
There were no major climate changes during the Late Prehistoric Period. However, as time passed, the people continued to
adapt and modify the environment to meet their needs. When Europeans arrived in the area, they began to compete for
resources, once freely available to the native people.
Hunting, Planting, and Food
During this period, the people learned to grow corn and beans. They continued to plant squash and sunflower. Life revolved
around planting, growing, and harvesting corn, beans and squash. These plants supplied people with as much as 60 percent of
their diet. They collected wild plants for food, medicine, and dyes.
Late Prehistoric people began using the hoe. This tool allowed them to work more effectively in their fields. They were better
able to till the land. They continued fishing and hunting for meat.
Native-American Life
During the Late Prehistoric Period (A.D. 1,000 to 1,750), two very different farming cultures lived in Kentucky: The Mississippian
Indians and the Fort Ancient Indians. The Mississippians lived in the southern and western parts of the state, while the Fort
Ancient Indians lived in the north and east sections. New forms of pottery were developed during this period. This included jars,
bowls, plates, and bottles. Handles were added to jars. Also human and animal symbols were sometimes included on bowls and
bottles. Trade was very important during the period.
During the Late Prehistoric Period, the Mississippian people began to build rectangular houses. They also began to live in large
year-round settlements. As many as 2,000 people may have lived in some of the large towns. These Mississippian communities
were ruled by hereditary chiefs who lived on large platform mounds near the center of the community. There were no
hereditary chiefs in the Fort Ancient culture. In contrast, the Fort Ancient culture had a smaller population. The Late
Prehistoric Indians formed tribes. These tribes were groups of people who lived and worked together.
The arrival of Europeans on America's eastern shores eventually brought changes to Kentucky. Diseases, many previously
unknown to the natives, could wipe out entire villages. As a result, the native population quickly decreased. By the mid 1700s
few native settlements remained in Kentucky. By the early 1800s, the Native-American population in Kentucky had significantly
declined. However, their legacy and place in Kentucky history continue.
Grade 4, Kentucky Unit, Lesson 4
Resource 4A
Change Over Time: Native Americans
Graphic Organizer
Describe the geography
and/or climate of Kentucky
during this time.
Paleoindians
12,000B.C. to
8,000 B.C.
Archaic
Period
8,000 B.C. to
1,000 B.C.
Woodland
Period
1,000 B.C. to
A.D. 1,000
Late Prehistoric
Period
A.D. 1,000 to 1,750
Describe the animals
hunted and/or plant foods
collected or grown by
Native Americans during
this time.
Describe how the Native
Americans lived (camps,
shelter, customs, traditions,
daily life, etc.).
Grade 4, Kentucky Unit, Lesson 4
Resource 4A
Change Over Time: Native Americans Answer Key
Describe
Geography/Climate
Animals Hunted and/or Food
Planted
How Native Americans
Lived
Paleoindians
Trees, large lakes in a
cold, wet climate
Hunting and gathering food.
Large game, such as
mammoths, mastodons, and
bison
Small groups moved
frequently. Temporary
shelters. Carried
belongings in skin bags.
Archaic Period
Ice Age ends. Climate
warmer, drier, more like
today’s. New rivers and
lakes formed. Large
animals such as
mastodon die off.
Hunters turn to smaller game,
such as deer, turkey, and
rabbit. New spear thrower
called atlatl developed. Wild
plants collected for food and
medicine. Cultivation of
plants like squash and
goosefoot begins. Land
cleared for farming.
People live longer in
one place, but still
move often. This allows
more children, which
brings population
increases. Camps are
located in areas where
there are a variety of
resources.
Woodland
Period
No major changes.
People modify
environment to suit their
needs.
More gardening. Plants are an
important part of the diet.
Squash, sunflower and
goosefoot are common.
Hunting and collecting wild
plants continue.
People build bigger
houses and live in larger
communities near rivers
and streams. Pottery is
developed for cooking
and storing food. Burial
mounds reflect religious
and ceremonial life.
Late Prehistoric
No major changes.
People modify
environment to suit their
needs. Europeans arrive
to compete for
resources.
People learn to cultivate corn.
Corn and beans supply up to
60% of diet. Development of
hoe helps farming. Hunting,
fishing continue.
Two groups in
Kentucky: Mississippian
Indians in the south and
west, Fort Ancient
Indians in the north and
central. People live in
tribes. They build
rectangular houses and
live in large year-round
settlements. Hereditary
chiefs rule. European
settlers bring changes
and deadly diseases.
Native American
population declines.