Uncovering the Past Exhibit

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People have been living in Texas for at least 13,500 years. For most of human existence in Texas and America, there is no recorded history—no books, no eyewitness accounts—although some cultures have a rich oral tradition. The arrival of Europeans to the Americas began the historic era and the creation of written records (books, letters and drawings), which we depend on for information.  Using material evidence (pottery, human remains, garbage, etc.) gathered by archeologists gather material evidence, we interpret the history of early long-gone people. 

Uncovering the Past takes you on a journey through 13,000 years of human life, where diverse groups of people lived long before the arrival of Europeans. Discover what archeologists and others have learned about the people who lived in Texas and the Americas before us, and how new discoveries change we thought we knew.

The Mammoth Hunters

The Paleo-Indian period lasted from about 13,500 to 8,000 years ago. The weather was cooler and wetter and grasslands were thicker than today. The most significant Paleo-Indian cultures are Clovis and Folsom. For years, archeologists considered Paleo-Indians the first inhabitants of the American continents; however, new evidence may change that theory.

 During the Paleo-Indian period, people lived as hunter-gatherers using the plants, animals, and minerals from the area they lived in. Men hunted big game including mammoth, horses and giant bison. Sometimes, they also killed camels, deer, rabbits, squirrels, gophers, prairie dogs, turtles, and lizards for food. Women probably helped butcher animals, dressed hides and gathered seeds, roots, nuts, berries, and firewood.

 The atlatl was the most important technology used by the people of the time. They also used spears with points, scrapers, and grinding stones. Paleo-Indians were nomadic since they mainly followed herds for subsistence. They made their homes in caves, rock shelters, and small man-made shelters.

 Changing with nature

The Archaic period lasted from about 8,000 to 1,300 years ago. The climate was much like it is today. The period marks the transition from a hunter-gatherer society to a more agrarian way of life, which helped populations grow.

 People in this period began farming and harvesting, which offered an increase in food supplies. Due to this increased food production and surplus, baskets were invented for storage. People began to farm maize (corn), beans, barley, sunflowers, and squash.

 It is not known whether big game, like mastodons and mammoths, went extinct from hunting or changes in climate. However, people began to rely on deer, bison, and small game for their meat sources.

 Hunters continued to use the atlatl and dart (or spear) for hunting. Advancements in technology during the Archaic period include a larger variety of projectile points, flat curved throwing sticks, hooks, nets, tackle, and stone hoes.  

 Smaller is Better

The Late Prehistoric period lasted from about 1,300 years ago to the arrival of Europeans in the Americas (approximately 1500 AD). The Late Prehistoric period began with the invention of the bow and arrow. The development of the bow and arrow brought about a change in the type of projectile points hunters used—larger dart points were replaced by smaller arrow points.

 Similar to the Archaic period, some people farmed while others relied on hunting and gathering. Cultures varied by region. As the cultures became more sedentary, pottery was developed. Long distance trade made shells, obsidian, and turquoise available, and people made ornaments out of them for personal use and trade.

 Late Prehistoric cultures include the Pueblo, Jumano, Apache, Wichita, Caddo, Atakapa, Karankawa, Coahuiltecan, and Mississippian. Some of these cultures are now extinct.

Native Americans meet Europeans

The term history refers to the time when written documents appeared. The Historic period begins with the arrival of Europeans to the Americas. As the indigenous peoples came into contact with European cultures, beginning with the Spanish in Texas (ca. 1520), their lives changed forever. Buildings, clothing, tools, and art of the period reflect European influence. Indians learned to use and make metal tools; they learned how to grow new foods; and they learned to ride horses. 

 Prior to the introduction of horses, people used dogs to carry loads. After acquiring them from the Spanish in the 16^th century, horses were used to carry more items—and they could travel faster and further. Some groups even returned to a more nomadic lifestyle after they acquired horses.

 By the end of the 18^th century, many native peoples were pushed aside as others (settlers and other indigenous groups) moved into their lands. They fought hard; however, disease, conflict, and diminishing resources weakened tribes, and many disappeared. In the 19^th and 20^th centuries, surviving tribes were forced onto reservations in Indian Territory (Oklahoma).

Doing Your Part

People find pieces of Texas history everyday—stone tools, fragments of pottery, or remains of historic homesites. Since early peoples did not create written records, artifacts found at archeological sites represent our only source of knowledge for the thousands of years that prehistoric groups lived in present-day Texas.     

In Texas alone, almost 5,000 archeological sites disappear each year. Sometimes, natural forces such as flooding and erosion are responsible, but more often people destroy the sites. Destruction of archeological sites by any means results in missed opportunities to learn about the past.

 By ensuring that professional archeologists study artifacts and other cultural remains at their original sites, we are doing our part in piecing together a more complete story of our history.