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Hunter-gatherers
A hunter-gatherer or early human society is one in which most or all food is obtained from wild plants and animals. Hunting and gathering was humanity's first and most successful adaptation, occupying at least 90 percent of human history, and 10,000 years ago, all lived this way. -
West Coast
The American Indians on the northwest coast (Kwakiutl and Haida) were skilled woodworkers and carved elaborate totem poles and masks after being introduced to iron tools. They had access to rich resources and held feasts where they would provide guests with valuable gifts. The Pomo, Hupa, and Yurok peoples, in addition to many other groups in present-day California, lived in small communities of 50 to 300, with over 100 different languages spoken. -
Different Civilization
•The Olmec were the first major Mesoamerican society, and their religion, art, agriculture, and social organization influenced later civilizations. They are best known for their engineering and artistic skills, due to the survival of huge sculpted heads carved from black volcanic rock. They are also the first known Mesoamerican society to develop a writing system.
•The Mayan civilization developed religious centers that grew into huge city-states with thousands of people. They are also known for -
Great Plain
The cultures of the Great Plains were largely migratory, following the movement of the bison, which the tribes depended on for survival. Because of the constant movement, they needed portable homes, and invented the tepee, which could be easily put together and taken down. They believed in many gods, and that these gods showed themselves in the form of the sun, moon, stars, or anything that was strong or strange. Men would also go to lonely places for several days without food or water to receiv -
Religion and Culture
Known as mound builders because they buried the dead in large earth mounds, these groups lived in small farming villages, which were likely run by leaders of clans (relatives). The villages grew and became increasingly complex, building trade networks and creating elaborate artwork using materials from as far away as the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes. Adena culture was absorbed by the Hopewell in about 100 BC.
