From Prehistory to the 1500’s

Early AmericansThe first Americans may have traveled to the

Americas across a land bridge from Europe.The land bridge could have formed during the Ice

Age and been a pathway across the Bering Strait.These people may have crossed the land bridge

because of the search for food.Their search for food would have been chasing

herds of wild animals such as giant buffalo .The time was known as prehistory because it

was before written history.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_k9uE6vrb8

Culture- the beliefs, knowledge, ideas, and ways of life that define a certain group of people

Civilization- culture with structure to their society and innovations such as cities, government, commerce, art, and writing.

Paleo- Indian PeriodBegan about 10,000 B.C. and went until 6,000

B.C.First scientific evidence of people being in

Texas.These Natives used flint tipped spears to hunt

giant buffalo, mammoths, and mast0dons. These huge animals started to die off around 8,000

The most famous Texas Paleo-Indian is known as Midland Minnie whose bones were found in Midland.

Lasted from about 6,000 B.C. to 700 A.D.Humans had to find a new way of living after

their old food source died offThe humans started to hunt smaller animals

including deer, buffalo, and antelope.The also developed a new hunting weapon

called an atlatl. The atlatl hurled dart points.The men continued to hunt and women

gathered plants

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkK2vEZ5bTk

Lasted from about 700 A.D. to about 1500 A.D.

Native Texans began to live in villages and grow their own plants.This was a change from the hunting and

gathering that the Natives were used to doingThe Native Texans also started to use the

bow and arrow as an effective tool for hunting small and large animals.

The Maya were one of the first great civilizations in North America.The Maya made great innovations in city

structure, social classes, and astronomyThey also built great cities and pyramids

The Aztecs were a great civilization who built their cities around modern day Mexico City.Tenochtitlan was a city of 100,000 which was

bigger than most European cities at the time.

The CoahuiltecansLived on the Gulf Coast past the Rio Grande

towards modern day San Antonio.This area was hot and was not a good place for

growing many crops or finding food sources.Some of the food that was available was beans,

nuts, lizards, snakes, worms, and roots.The Coahuiltecans were nomads because they were

always looking for food.

The KarankawasLived on the Gulf shore

between modern day Galveston and Corpus Christi.

Because they lived on the coast they became very good fishermenThe would spear fish and had

traps for shellfish.They used shark and alligator

grease to fight of mosquitosThey wore outfits made from

deer skin and also tattooed and pierced their bodies

The CaddoesThe Caddoes lived in Northeast Texas

This was very rich farm land and had many trees and rich soil

Because of the rich farmland and heavy wooded areas, the Caddoes were able to build more permanent dwellings.Their houses were sturdy and built from grass and

woodThese houses were all a part of large villages

They had big villages led by a chief called a Caddi Also, women played important roles in Caddo

society.

ApachesThe Apaches lived in the grasslands of Central

Texas .This location made their lives dependent on the

wild animals that they hunted for food.The animals were also used for shelter and tools

They were nomads during the hunting seasonsThey farmed in villages during the growing seasons

ComanchesMoved into Texas from the far northOnce they gained the use of horses, they were

very skilled on horseback.Known as “lords of the plains”

Were very skilled hunters and were deadly with a bow and arrow.

Used Buffalo for food, tools, clothing, and housing.

Raided other groups

The TonkawasThe Tonkawas were hunters and fishermen

Ate deer, buffalo, fish, and crawfishThey also lived in grass houses and did not

migrateLater helped Europeans fight the Comanches

The WichitasFrom Kansas and were very good farmersLived in large grass lodgesSkilled artistsElected chiefs to rule and held women in high

regard

The JumanosLived along the Rio Grande

Used the river water to help them farmLived in Adobe homes

Sun dried clay and straw used to make brickThe adobe kept them warm in the winter and cool

in the summer.

CherokeesMoved to Texas much later around the 1800’sMore advanced than other tribesLived in log cabins Later intermarried with Europeans

Integrated to European cultureOwned slaves and plantations.