ARCHAIC PERIOD - 8,000+ to 1,000 BC

Hunters and Gatherers
circa 5000 BC. Life-size mural by Greg Harlin.

Native Americans of the Archaic Period (8000-1000 BC) were hunters and gatherers, and their settlements reflect an adaptation to the abundant natural resources of the Tennessee region. Sites varied in function from base settlements to transient hunting or collecting camps. A base camp is shown here.

In the foreground, women are processing hickory nuts, whose meats are high in proteins and fats. Plant foods were supplemented by such animals as the white tail deer, turkeys, bears, and smaller game like rabbits.

This scene is based upon research by University of Tennessee, Knoxville, archaeologists on Archaic Period sites in Benton County, Tennessee, in 1940-41 and in Monroe and Loudon counties in the 1970s.

ICEHOUSE BOTTOM SITE
Excavations at the Icehouse Bottom site in Monroe County, Tennessee, revealed a stratigraphic sequence of occupations beginning over 9500 years ago. Deeply buried sites such as this have helped refine cultural chronology.

SPEAR THROWER WEIGHTS
These ground-stone objects were placed on the shafts of spear throwers -- short sticks with a hook on one end that propelled a spear or dart. The spear thrower was used during the Archaic Period (8000 - 1000 BC).

BONE FISH HOOK
Sequence of making a bone fish hook from a deer toe bone. This technology began in the Archaic Period and continued to Historic times.