Ch 1: Lesson 2 - Early American Cultures

mesa

high flat land form rises steeply from the land, "table" in spanish

How did the Inuit adapt to the cold arctic climate?

hunted wales, seals developed kayaks - one person boats build igloos - houses out of ice and snow

What is a kiva?

large underground room where Anasazi religious ceremonies are held. Only men allowed.

Cahokia

location of a 100 foot mound left from the Mound builders

Four Corners

location where four present day states come together: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah

drought

long period without rain

Inuit

native people of Canada, literally means "the people"

Mesa Verde

An Anasazi cliff dwelling community located in present day Colorado

Who are known as the cliff dwellers?

Anasazi

Who were the first people to use irrigation in the US?

Anasazi

Nampeyo

Pueblo woman who found a way to re-create the ancient methods of making pottery, thus keeping the tradition alive

Where did the Anasazi live?

Southwest United States, near Four Corners

Where did the Inuit come from?

They traveled from Asia to North America, but much later probably 2,500 years ago.

Did the Mound Builders trade? How can you tell?

Yes, there were rock knives from the rocky mountains, seashells from the Gulf and Copper from the Great Lakes.

ceremony

activity held for a special purpose or event like birth, wedding, death

Who were the Anasazi?

an early farming group

What are cliff dwellings?

apartment style homes built on top of mesas

What was the purpose of the mounds?

burial for great chiefs, honor spirits, hold religious ceremonies

Who were the Mound builders?

A well organized groups of American Indians farmers who lived primarily east of the Mississippi. They built large structures out of earth using only hand tools.

What were the primary Mound Builder groups?

Adena, Hopewell, Mississippians