Ohio's Frst People

Lesson #3: Ohio’s First People

No one knows for sure when the first people came to North
America. Many experts believe that humans may have crossed a
“land bridge” from Asia into North America about 20,000 years
ago. That land bridge is now covered by water.

Click the map
for a video
about the
Land Bridge
Theory.

Why learn
this?
It is important
to know how
the first
people who
lived in Ohio
used its land
and
resources.

Lesson #3: Ohio’s First People

Groups who migrated, or moved over the land bridge
are considered prehistoric people, since they lived in
a time before people wrote. Scientists must look for
clues to learn about these early people.

Multiple Choice

They lived in a time before people wrote.

• Prehistoric times
• Predinasaur

• preheat

• predators

Multiple Choice

migrated means

• to move from one place to another
• to change one's mind
• to move in circles
• to stay in one place

Lesson #3: Ohio’s First People

Archaeologists are scientists who study the ways people
lived long ago. They use artifacts, or handmade objects.

These spearheads were found near the Ohio River in southern

Ohio. Early people made their own weapons and tools.

Multiple Choice

Archaeologists

• Archaeologists study human history and prehistory.
• Archaeologists are mainly involved in environmental science.
• Archaeologists primarily study animal behavior.
• Archaeologists focus on modern technology and its impact.

Multiple Choice

What are artifacts

• Artifacts are natural formations found in nature.
• Artifacts are human-made objects of historical or cultural significance.
• Artifacts are digital files created by software.
• Artifacts are living organisms that existed in ancient times.

Lesson #3: Ohio’s First People

The Paleo-Indians and Archaic People

Around 15,000 years ago, the Paleo-Indians moved into
what is now Ohio. These people never stayed in one place.
They were constantly moving, in search of food.

About 8,000 years ago, the Archaic people lived in what is
now Ohio. They built homes along Ohio waterways and
hunted small animals like deer and turkeys. They also fished
in Ohio’s rivers and lakes.

Multiple Choice

How did the Archaic people obtain food, and where did they build their homes?

• The Archaic people farmed crops and built permanent homes in forests.
• The Archaic people obtained food by hunting, fishing, and gathering, and built their homes in temporary structures near water sources.
• They relied solely on trade for food and lived in caves.
• The Archaic people primarily gathered nuts and berries and constructed large stone houses.

Lesson #3: Ohio’s First People

The Adena

The Adena were the first Woodland group, living in what is now
Ohio, about 3,000 years ago. They lived in villages in circular
huts. In addition to hunting and fishing, they farmed crops like
sunflowers and squash. They built thousands of dirt mounds,
which were used for graves and other purposes.

This Adena mound is located in
northern West Virginia, very close to the
Ohio border. Adena people lived
throughout Ohio, West Virginia, and the
surrounding states.

Multiple Choice

What kind of houses did the Adena live in, and what crops did they farm?

• The Adena lived in rectangular houses and farmed wheat, barley, and rice.
• The Adena lived in villages in circular
  huts. They farmed crops like
  sunflowers and squash.

• The Adena lived in igloos and farmed potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes.
• The Adena lived in dome-shaped houses and farmed maize, beans, and squash.

Lesson #3: Ohio’s First People

The Hopewell

The Hopewell people lived
about 1,900 years ago. They
also lived in villages with
wooden houses. They hunted,
fished, and farmed.

The Hopewell also created
jewelry and art, using materials
they got by trading. The
Hopewell people, like the
Adena, were mound builders.

This is a Hopewell artifact of a bird.

Lesson #3: Ohio’s First People

The Fort Ancient People

The Fort Ancient People were the last of the Woodland
groups. They lived in villages near river valleys. They were
excellent farmers, and grew squash, beans, and corn. They
hunted and fished as well. The Fort Ancient built one of the
most well-known mounds, the Serpent Mound.

Lesson #3: Ohio’s First People

● Click on the image

of the Serpent
Mound to learn
more about Ohio’s
early mound
builders.

● Then, toggle back

to your Google
Classroom for your
Exit Ticket. Use
these slides to help!