Name _____________________
ANCIENT PEOPLES OF OHIO
Adapted from OhioTrek © 2001 WBGU-TV/Bowling Green State University
Thousands, and maybe millions of years ago, glaciers covered much of Ohio’s
land. Only the south eastern portion of the state was left uncovered by ice. Glaciers
came and melted many times. When the glaciers finally melted, they left behind what
is now known as the Great Lakes, rivers and streams. Animals also began to inhabit
this region as well. Glaciers are the primary reason that Ohio is flat in the Northern
and north western portion of the state and hilly in the southern and south eastern
portion
Archaeologists have uncovered many artifacts that tell us about Ohio’s history.
The first prehistoric people to live in the Ohio region were called the Paleo people. They
are known to have lived in Ohio more than 10,000 years ago. The Paleo people were
nomadic hunters, following animals for food. Excavated bones show that these people
were about5ft.-5ft. 4in. tall. Charcoal, animal skulls, spearheads and flint have also
been found.
After the Paleo people, came the Archaic people. The Archaic people came
around 8,500 B.C. and lived near water for fishing and transportation. They lived in
lean-to structures or caves and ate by hunting and picking their food. The Archaic
people used flint and animal bones for food. They used awes and fish hooks the same
way we do today. Shallow graves have been excavated with skeletons in them dating to
this period. These people were also found to be about 5ft. tall.
Next in Ohio’s history came the Adena and then the Hopewell people. They also
lived near rivers and streams for fishing, transportation and trade. The Adena people
came to the Ohio region around 1000 B.C. They got their name from an estate close to
Chillicothe, Ohio. They were also referred to as moundbuilders because of the earthen
structures they built. Their mounds were generally cone-shaped, although, the famous
Serpent Mound is thought to belong to the Adena people because it was found near
other Adena mounds.
The Hopewell people were in the Ohio region 200 B.C.-600 A.D. Their name
came from the farm of Captain M.C. Hopewell near Chillicothe, Ohio. These mound
builders built ceremonial mounds in geometric shapes such as circles, squares and
triangles. They are thought to be a very well organized tribe of people who worked
together to build great mounds, artifacts, and had a large network of trading.
Next in Ohio’s history came the Adena and then the Hopewell people. They also
lived near rivers and streams for fishing, transportation and trade. The Adena people
came to the Ohio region around 1000 B.C. They got their name from an estate close to
Chillicothe, Ohio. They were also referred to as moundbuilders because of the earthen
structures they built. Their mounds were generally cone-shaped, although, the famous
Serpent Mound is thought to belong to the Adena people because it was found near
other Adena mounds.
The Hopewell people were in the Ohio region 200 B.C.-600 A.D. Their name
came from the farm of Captain M.C. Hopewell near Chillicothe, Ohio. These mound
builders built ceremonial mounds in geometric shapes such as circles, squares and
triangles. They are thought to be a very well organized tribe of people who worked
together to build great mounds, artifacts, and had a large network of trading.