Mississippian Period
Imagine a long, long time ago, when there were no cars or airplanes or buildings, and people lived in villages made of wood and mud. This was a time called the Mississippian Period. It happened from about 800 to 1600 AD in the area that is now the southeastern United States.
During this time, many different Native American tribes lived in this region. They were called the Mississippian culture because they built their villages near the Mississippi River and other rivers. They were very good at farming and grew crops like corn, beans, and squash. They also hunted animals and fished in the rivers.
The Mississippian people were very skilled builders and created large mounds of earth to build their important buildings on top of. These mounds were used for different things, like religious ceremonies, burials, and even for the leaders' homes! One of the most famous of these mounds is the Spiro Mound in Oklahoma, which is over 12 meters tall!
At the top of these mounds were big, important buildings called temples. The leaders of the tribe would use these temples to meet with other leaders, to make important decisions, and to hold religious ceremonies. The temples had decorations like carvings and sculptures and were decorated with bright colors.
The Mississippian Period was also a time when a lot of trading happened. The Mississippian people would trade their crops, blankets, and even things like shells and beads with other tribes. They also traded with tribes far away, like ones in Mexico and the Great Lakes region.
Overall, the Mississippian Period was a very important time in the history of the southeastern United States. The people who lived during this time made important advancements in farming and building that still affect us today.
During this time, many different Native American tribes lived in this region. They were called the Mississippian culture because they built their villages near the Mississippi River and other rivers. They were very good at farming and grew crops like corn, beans, and squash. They also hunted animals and fished in the rivers.
The Mississippian people were very skilled builders and created large mounds of earth to build their important buildings on top of. These mounds were used for different things, like religious ceremonies, burials, and even for the leaders' homes! One of the most famous of these mounds is the Spiro Mound in Oklahoma, which is over 12 meters tall!
At the top of these mounds were big, important buildings called temples. The leaders of the tribe would use these temples to meet with other leaders, to make important decisions, and to hold religious ceremonies. The temples had decorations like carvings and sculptures and were decorated with bright colors.
The Mississippian Period was also a time when a lot of trading happened. The Mississippian people would trade their crops, blankets, and even things like shells and beads with other tribes. They also traded with tribes far away, like ones in Mexico and the Great Lakes region.
Overall, the Mississippian Period was a very important time in the history of the southeastern United States. The people who lived during this time made important advancements in farming and building that still affect us today.