Early Tennessee Settlers
Prehistoric
Paleo Indians Nomadic People who roam from place to place for food and shelter
Thought to be descendants of Asians Traveled here through the Bering Strait
How they ate
Most foraged for berries Hunted big game Such as
Tools
Spears Arrow heads Bows were not around yet
Types of housing
Huts made of thatch or sticks Lean to Used tendons and skins from animals or rope made from grass
Movement
Spread throughout America Reasons Food Shelter climate
Benton County, Tennessee
8000 years ago Made use of natural resources Learned to plant seeds Made weapons
Woodland Indians
1000 B.C. – 500 B.C. Planted gardens in spring Resided in Western Tennessee Migrated due to flooding of Mississippi
New Weapon
Atlatl
First to use copper First to tame the “dog”
Woodland Indians
Created better fishing capabilities Designed the Weir A pen built in a stream where fish made nests.
Developed the Bow and Arrow Bent hickory with deer tendons Able to hunt smaller game
Preserved food for the winter. Built food huts to store.
Had raised floors
MOUND BUILDERS
Tennessee-Alabama border is Pinson Mounds, a Tennessee state archaeological park. Fifteen mounds and many other earthworks make up the nearly 1,200 acre park.
The tallest mound at that park is Sauls Mound with a height of 72 feet. Archaeologists believe this mound and, indeed this site, was used for ceremonial purposes.
MISSISSIPPIANS
Last group of prehistoric Indians 1000 A.D. Western Tennessee Rasied corn, beans, squash and pumpkins
Believed to have migrated from Mexico Settled near rivers Built more permanent houses
Largest village thought to have been located in what is now present day Memphis
Practiced intercropping Planted two or more crops together Very artistic Pottery, jewelry
Historian Indians
Cherokee Largest tribe in South Eastern America Around 22,000 50-80 towns
3 regions Tennessee, Carolinas, Georgia Settled along Tellico and Hiawassee River Also in Chatuga, Chote, Great Tellico, Tannassee or Tenase
Creek
Chattanooga Area Tennessee River Alabama and Georgia
Chickasaw
Western Tennessee 4,500 No permanent villages Moved and were easily overpowered.
Shawnee
Ohio Valley Migrated to Cumberland River Valley Nomadic
Most famous: Tecumseh Tried to band his people against settlers.
Native American Religion
Cherokee Belief Yowa = god Created sun, moon, stars, and all living things.
Afterlife Believed afterlife was like present life Placed personal items in mounds.
European Settlers
Hernando de Soto Spanish explorer Traveled from what is now Florida up through Tennessee and down to Mexico.
Tried to convert Indians to Catholicism Died and was thrown in river because the Indians thought him to be a god. Pillaged and looted the Indian villages.
English Traders
James Needham and Gabriel Arthur 1673 Guided by Indian John
Gabriel learned the language Aided in trade Established friendship with Indians
French Explorers
English came from East French came in from the West Arrived in 1710’s Set up post in Western
Arrived in 1710’s Set up post in Western Tennessee/Arkansas Built trading posts