Lesson Introduction: Poverty Point
The Poverty Point Culture flourished from approximately 2000 B.C. to 600 B.C. The culture is named for the famous Poverty Point Site where the largest earthworks of the period were built. During this time, Poverty Point people lived in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas, and they usually settled near major rivers, junctions of lakes and rivers, or in coastal marshes. These locations supported a wide variety of plants and animals that could be used for food.
Like Meso-Indians, some Poverty Point Indians lived in small dispersed groups, but others established regional centers where large populations lived throughout the year. Oval or horseshoe-shaped structures of earth or shell were usually built at these centers. The reason for the construction is unknown, but it is likely that the Poverty Point leaders lived at such sites and that the sites functioned as ceremonial, political, and trading centers.
The Poverty Point Site in northeastern Louisiana was the largest regional center. When it was built, it lay between the Mississippi and the Arkansas rivers. Using these rivers, as well as land routes, Poverty Point Indians traded with other Indians as far away as Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Florida.
http://www.crt.state.la.us/dataprojects/archaeology/virtualbooks/LAPREHIS/lapre.htm
Like Meso-Indians, some Poverty Point Indians lived in small dispersed groups, but others established regional centers where large populations lived throughout the year. Oval or horseshoe-shaped structures of earth or shell were usually built at these centers. The reason for the construction is unknown, but it is likely that the Poverty Point leaders lived at such sites and that the sites functioned as ceremonial, political, and trading centers.
The Poverty Point Site in northeastern Louisiana was the largest regional center. When it was built, it lay between the Mississippi and the Arkansas rivers. Using these rivers, as well as land routes, Poverty Point Indians traded with other Indians as far away as Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Florida.
http://www.crt.state.la.us/dataprojects/archaeology/virtualbooks/LAPREHIS/lapre.htm
Student Led Activity: Virtual Field-trip
If I lived in Louisiana 2000 years ago...
Using a Story Board Template, write a story about what life might have been like if you lived in Louisiana, 2000 years ago. Think about clothing, cooking, fishing, hunting, housing, etc. Each group will do a presentation at the end of the activity with a poster summarizing what they found.
Be sure to add pictures. You must have at least 6 boxes in your story board. Be creative!
Using a Story Board Template, write a story about what life might have been like if you lived in Louisiana, 2000 years ago. Think about clothing, cooking, fishing, hunting, housing, etc. Each group will do a presentation at the end of the activity with a poster summarizing what they found.
Be sure to add pictures. You must have at least 6 boxes in your story board. Be creative!