Drill and Points
Early Woodland Indians
The Early Woodland time period dates to 600 to 200 BC. They were the
first native americans to use ceramics. The pottery was thick. It didn't
have any decorations. The sides were made rough by pressing a cord into
the side. They had different kinds of projectile points. Stemmed points
were common. They had houses about 4 by 6 meters. They were just temporary
houses because they lived at a site for a couple months and then they would
move. They had small camps near the bases of bluffs, in the valley, and
near rivers. They gathered nuts and berries. They also ate mussels and fish.
Middle Woodland Indians
Middle Woodland homes were about 7 by 9 meters. Their houses were permanent
so they didn't move much. They hunted, gathered, and farmed. They had many
tools and weapons. For example, they took antlers off of deer and used them
for tools and weapons. Their pottery was very decorated. People were buried
in large mounds. Important people were buried in the center of the mound.
They were also buried with ceramic pots. Archeologists have discovered that
the Indians traded with other Indians because they found things in Illinois
that came from other places in North America, such as copper, obsidian,
and seashells.
Reconstructed Middle Woodland Home
Reconstruction of a Middle Woodland Home
Late Woodland Indians
The Late Woodland time period is from 250 A.D. to 800 A.D. The Late
Woodland Indians ate corn, sunflower seeds, wild plants, and meat. They
had bows and arrows that could shoot far away. There was competition for
resources. Archeologists think there was competition going on because they
found arrows in the the deceased. Archeologists think they fought over good
farm land. Because large populations were living so close together, it started
spreading diseases. The houses they lived in were about 5 by 5 meters. They
had large settlements. They had ceramics that were thin and had little decoration.
Art and Pottery
Woodland Houses
Farming and Food
Tools and Weapons