ESSENTIAL QUESTION Which American Indians inhabited the regions that became Carolina

and how did they impact the colony?

Introduction Scientists believe the first people came to

America across the Bering Strait. The climate was colder and the land was

covered with trees, mastodons, and other animals.

The first people are called Paleolithic (Latin for “old stone,” referring to tools).

People began to forage for food and became healthier when temperatures warmed. They traveled from the coast to the fall line.

Flint tools became more complex, resulting in scrapers, hammers, and spears. Smaller groups could hunt.

Communities began as survival skills improved.

Ceremonial burials were conducted. Settlements were in the floodplains and

mountains.

The introduction of corn altered life, allowing people to settle and thrive.

Villages began as people were able to stay in one place longer.

People learned to create items with clay. People depended on the forests for

shelter and hunting.

• People were influenced by the culture of settlers from along the Mississippi River.

• The Mississippians held ceremonies, led by priests, which were important for crops and harmony with earth.

• People learned to create items with clay.• Town Creek Indian Mound was a

ceremonial center and was a place of celebration Green Corn Day.

Not a precursor to “Green Day” LOL! Families would bathe and put on new

clothes. Celebrate by drinking the “black drink”. It was not alcoholic but a strong herbal tea. The priest would re-light his ceremonial fire. The natives would eat roasted corn and

boiled on the cob. They gathered to watch a ball game similar

to lacrosse.

The celebration would end as natives would take a piece of ceremonial coal to their huts.

The lighting of the ceremonial coal signified the beginning of the new year.

This celebration fell out of favor with the arrival of the Europeans around the 1500’s.

The customs stuck around as daily habits for the Native Americans of North Carolina.