The Ancient TexansCh. 3, Section 1

Prehistory:the period of time before writing was developed

A. People first came to the Western Hemisphere35,000years ago.B. Asians migrated across a land bridge, theBering Strait.C. Why?hunting for food (followed the herds of animals) and warmer weatherD. Humans first reached Texas about11,500years ago.

Early Native American Migration

Bering StraightShrinking of Bering Land Bridge

E. Before written records were kept, how did people pass down their history to the next generation? Stories & pictographsClick here for online Pictograph Site

Era #1Paleolithic (Stone Age)15 to 8 thousand years agoLeanderthal Lady: female remains found near Leander, Texas that are about 10,000 years oldLeanderthal Lady Link

Leanderthal Lady Link #2

FoodMastadonMammothgiant bison, rabbits, squirrels, birds

Prehistoric MammalsWooly Mammothwww.sdnhm.org

Wooly Mammothwww.prehistoriclifeafterkt.comwww.museum.state.il.us

Mastadonwww.prehistoriclifeafterkt.com

Mastadonwww.museum.state.il.usHow are Mastadons different from Wooly Mammoths? Mastadons are smaller in size. different tooth formation smaller, straighter tusks

Weapons & ToolsatlatlFlint-tipped spears & dartsBPS Engineering Atlatl Web Site World Atlatl Organization Web SiteAtlatl Web Site

ShelterCaves (rock shelter) or out in the openNomadic or SettledNomadic and lived in small groups

Add to top of next era-- Midland Minnie: female remains found near Midland, Texas that are about 8,000 years old

Era #2Nomadic or SettledArchaic8,000 years agoClimate became warmer & drier.

FoodHunted smaller game: buffalo, elk, bear, rabbits, squirrels, birdsForaged: berries, nuts, seeds, rootsBuffalo Jump

Ice-age bison, such as this long-horned Bison latifrons, were twice as big as the bison (Bison bison) that live in South Dakota today. They died out about seven thousand years ago. Smaller bison took their place

Weapons & ToolsToolsAxes, picks, drills, choppers, scrappers, and grinding toolsmade of stone or bone

ShelterCaves or out in the openDecorated caves with pictographsNomadic or SettledNomadic: They would stay in one area longer, but they were always searching for food. They began to domesticate animals (dogs).

Rock ShelterOn ceiling of rock shelter

Era #3Mesoamerican1800-1900 years ago(100 A.D.)

FoodDeveloped:Peanuts, corn, tomatoes, beans, pumpkins, squash, cottonAgricultureHunted: buffalo & turkey

Weapons & ToolsDeveloped:bow & arrowTools & Pottery

ShelterCrude wood and stone housesNomadic or SettledSettled in villagesMore complex society: workers, warriors, leaders, farmers

Why did this period (and all Prehistory in Texas) end?Spanish explorers arrived, and they kept written records (journals)endingPrehistory.