Unit 1 review Louisiana History

Unit 1 review Louisiana History

Poverty Point

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYOe13IXO80

Poverty Point was more complex than previously thought because building massive earthworks in a short time frame show that over 1,000 Native Americans worked in an organized way to build these mounds in less than 90 days.

Native Americans build massive earthworks and used the earthworks as places of worship

supports the claim that Poverty Point was more complex than previously thought because complex societies have organized religions and build temples in the center of their civilizations for worship. 

Poverty Point had an organized control system which could organize the work of thousands of citizens to build the city’s earthworks and buildings

This supports the claim that Poverty Point was more complex than previously thought because having an organized government which maintains order and control is necessary to have an advanced civilization. 

Poverty Point had a unique social organization, economy, religion, politics, and worldview.

This supports the claim that Poverty Point was more complex than previously thought because even though Poverty Point was built by hunter-gatherers they had all the qualities of a complex settled civilization.

Open Ended

Poverty point built massive Earthworks. What was the purpose of these earthworks and why would they point to poverty point being complex? 2 reasons

Poverty Point was built by a hunter-gatherer society.

This provides evidence that Poverty Point was a trading center because the only way Native Americans in Poverty Point could acquire enough food to survive and thrive was by trading with other Native Americans.

Open Ended

How do we know that poverty point culture traded with other cultures?

Native Americans who built Poverty Point placed a major plaza at the middle of the city for trading. 

This provides evidence that Poverty Point was a trading center because having a plaza gave Native Americans an area to congregate and trade with each other. 

Archaeologists have found copper, mica, and steatite at Poverty Point. These materials are not naturally found in Louisiana and originated from places thousands of miles away

This provides evidence that Poverty Point was a trading center because these objects were found at Poverty Point and were brought by traders down the Mississippi River and its tributaries to Poverty Point for trading purposes.

Poverty Point was located on the Mississippi River.

This provides evidence that Poverty Point was a trading center because water transportation was the fastest form of transportation at the time. Therefore, Poverty Point’s location was ideal for a trading center.

Open Ended

List three things that prove that poverty point was a trading center and explain how each prove it.

Poverty Point was the cultural capital for this region of North America.

● Archaeologists believe the mounds of Poverty Point could have been used for ceremonies because they have found remains of fire pits and postholes on the mounds.

Archaeologists have found figurines shaped like people which could be used to honor ancestors, or for religious purposes.

● Late Archaic Native Americans were huntergatherers who usually never settled in big groups. Poverty Point is an exception to this because it was a major city built during this period.

● Poverty Point required a lot of work to build which shows families could have lived there for generations.

● Poverty Point Native Americans wore gorgets or ornaments which is evidence they had an advanced culture

Open Ended

Why do archeologist believe poverty point was used for ceremonies? What evidence do they point to as proof?

Archaeologists have found beads from Poverty Point at other Native American sites in Louisiana which shows Poverty Point had a strong cultural influence on the surrounding areas.

● Archaeologists have recovered pipes made of clay and stone which could have been used for religious rituals or ceremonies

● Archaeologists have found shards of pottery showing Poverty Point Native  

● Poverty Point was the center of a huge trading network.

● Poverty Point was built around many rivers but the natural ridge it was built on was not susceptible to flooding.

● Rivers were the main transportation routes for Native Americans.

● Archaeologists know Native Americans traded at Poverty Point because they have found rocks at Poverty Point which are not from Louisiana.

● These rocks originated from many different areas around central North America.

● The plaza at the center of Poverty Point probably served as a meeting place for business. ● Poverty Point had a dock so boats could stop and trade in the plaza. 

Open Ended

What evidence is used by archeologist as proof that the people of poverty point traded? (3)

● Poverty Point was built by Native Americans between 1700 B.C. and 1100 B.C.

● Poverty Point has the largest earthworks in the Western Hemisphere.

● Some Archaeologists believe it was North America’s first city.

● Native Americans at Poverty Point did not grow food or raise animals. They survived and thrived as a huntergatherer society.

● Poverty Point was located next to the Mississippi River for trade purposes.

● Poverty Point was built during the late Archaic Period.

● Poverty Point had abundant food resources because of nearby wetlands, woods, and rivers. Native Americans could also trade for food at Poverty Point.

● Archaeologists have found bones of many animals including deer, fish, squirrel, and turtles. This proves residents of Poverty Point ate a variety of animals to survive and that they were skilled hunters and fishers.

Open Ended

How was poverty point able to feed its people?