THE FIRST PEOPLE IN OREGON
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Prehistory of Oregon
Indian Children
Indian Tribes of the Columbia Plateau
The Seasonal Cycle
Maps: Indian Trade Network & Local Tribes
Tule Mat Longhouse
Prehistory of Oregon
More than twelve thousand years ago, the land
that today is known as Oregon was covered with forests, mountains,
and high desert. Scientists have named this time in history the
Paleo-Indian Period. Paleo (PAY-lee-oe) means "ancient" or "long-ago."
People who lived in ancient Oregon were Indians. They were the first
Oregonians. It is some present-day Indians' belief that the Creator
created their people on the North American continent and that they
have always lived here.
We know little about these Indians because they did not leave any
written record of their lives. Scientists known as archaeologists
have learned about these Indians by studying the drawings and objects
that they used and left behind. These objects are called artifacts.
Archaeologists use artifacts like puzzle pieces, each one tells
part of the story of a past culture. Used in conjunction with other
evidence found in a site, such as bones from animals and other food
remains, pollen, and remains of structures, archaeologists can,
in theory, reconstruct the site and how the people lived at that
time. It is very important that people visiting archaeological sites
do not pick up, move, or remove artifacts, as it makes if difficult
for an archaeologist to accurately interpret a site when some of
the pieces to the puzzle are missing.
Some of the most interesting clues about the early people of Oregon
are found in rock art. Petroglyphs, or rock carvings, are some of
the earliest known forms of written communication of people in the
western hemisphere. No one is sure exactly what the figures meant
to these early people. Many of them seem to show things in their
daily lives, some show people and animals, others might show the
power of nature, such as the rain or the sun. Still others are abstract
and more difficult to interpret. Their meanings are unknown.
Some other artifacts archaeologists have found are stone projectile
points, which were used for spears. From these artifacts, archaeologists
have learned that the ancient Indians were hunters. They used spears
to hunt large animals that are now extinct, such as ancient bison,
wooly mammoth, and giant sloths. The Indians threw spears at these
animals using a spear-thrower, called an atlatl, that helped them
throw the spears harder and farther.
The Indians at this time probably lived on a seasonal cycle, knowing
when and where to hunt and gather food. They would have returned
to the same camp locations annually. Historically, some of the Indians
of the Columbia Plateau including the Cayuse, made their life in
a similar manner.
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Last modified on:
February 1, 2004
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