Native Americans in West Virginia (Prep for the Golden Horseshoe at Marlinton Middle School)

  Native Americans in West Virginia

• West Virginia is home to a diverse range of Native American tribes, including the Adena, Hopewell, Monongahela, Cherokee, Shawnee, and Mingo.
• The earliest known Native American inhabitants of West Virginia arrived over 10,000 years ago.
• Native Americans in West Virginia developed a complex culture that included agriculture, trade, and sophisticated political and social systems.
• Native Americans played a vital role in the early history of West Virginia, serving as guides and interpreters for European explorers and settlers.
• Native Americans also played a key role in the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and the American Revolution (1775-1783).
• After the American Revolution, the United States government began to pressure Native Americans to cede their lands.
• In the early 19th century, the federal government forced many Native Americans in West Virginia to relocate to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma).
• Despite the forced removal, Native Americans continued to live in West Virginia.
• Today, there are several Native American tribes with federally recognized reservations in West Virginia.
• Native Americans in West Virginia continue to play an important role in the state's culture and economy.
• The state is home to a number of Native American-owned businesses and cultural attractions.

Native American tribes in West Virginia:

• The Adena people were a mound-building culture that flourished in West Virginia from 800 BC to 200 BC. They are known for their large burial mounds, which can be found throughout the state.
• The Hopewell people were another mound-building culture that lived in West Virginia from 200 BC to 500 AD. They are known for their intricate artwork and sophisticated trade networks.
• The Monongahela people were a Woodland culture that lived in West Virginia from 900 AD to 1600 AD. They are known for their fortified villages and their use of pottery.
• The Cherokee people are a large Iroquoian tribe that has lived in the Appalachian region for thousands of years. They have a strong tradition of storytelling and music.
• The Shawnee people are an Algonquian tribe that has lived in the Ohio River Valley for centuries. They are known for their bravery and their resistance to European colonization.
• The Mingo people are an Iroquoian tribe that is closely related to the Seneca people. They are known for their role in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.

In addition to these six tribes, there are a number of other Native American tribes that have lived in West Virginia over the centuries. These include the Catawba, Conoy, Delaware, Tutelo, and Wyandot people.

Today, there are several federally recognized Native American tribes in West Virginia, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Mingo Nation, and the Shawnee Tribe. These tribes continue to play an important role in the state's culture and economy.

The Adena people in West Virginia:

• The Adena people were a mound-building culture that flourished in West Virginia from 800 BC to 200 BC.
• They are known for their large burial mounds, which can be found throughout the state.
• Adena mounds are typically conical in shape and range in size from 10 to 100 feet tall.
• Adena burials were often accompanied by elaborate grave goods, such as copper axes, mica ornaments, and marine shell beads.
• The Adena people were also skilled farmers and artisans.
• They cultivated crops such as maize, beans, and squash.
• They also produced a variety of pottery, stone tools, and bone artifacts.
• The Adena people had a sophisticated trade network that extended from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes.
• They traded for goods such as copper, mica, and marine shells.
• The Adena people were a peaceful people who lived in small villages.
• They were also highly spiritual and had a complex religious system.
• The Adena people left behind a rich legacy of archaeological sites and artifacts that provide us with insights into their culture and way of life.

Here are some specific examples of Adena mounds in West Virginia:

• The Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville is the largest Adena mound in West Virginia and the second largest conical mound in the United States.
• The Mound City Group National Historical Park in Chillicothe is home to a number of Adena mounds, including the Adena Mound, which is the type site for the Adena culture.
• The Criel Mound in South Charleston is the third largest conical mound in West Virginia.

The Hopewell people in West Virginia:

• The Hopewell people were a mound-building culture that flourished in West Virginia from 200 BC to 500 AD.
• They are known for their intricate artwork and sophisticated trade networks.
• Hopewell artwork is characterized by its geometric designs and use of exotic materials such as copper, mica, and obsidian.
• Hopewell trade networks extended throughout North America, from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes.
• The Hopewell people traded for goods such as copper, mica, obsidian, marine shells, and exotic feathers.
• Hopewell mounds are typically larger and more complex than Adena mounds.
• Hopewell mounds often contain multiple burials, as well as elaborate grave goods such as copper axes, mica ornaments, and marine shell beads.
• The Hopewell people were also skilled farmers and artisans.
• They cultivated crops such as maize, beans, and squash.
• They also produced a variety of pottery, stone tools, and bone artifacts.
• The Hopewell people had a sophisticated social and political system.
• The Hopewell people were a peaceful people who lived in large villages.

Here are some specific examples of Hopewell mounds in West Virginia:

• The Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville was originally built by the Adena people, but it was later enlarged and used by the Hopewell people.
• The Mound City Group National Historical Park in Chillicothe is home to a number of Hopewell mounds, including the Hopewell Mound, which is the type site for the Hopewell culture.
• The Pipestem Resort State Park in Pipestem is home to a number of Hopewell mounds, including the Pipestem Mound, which is the largest Hopewell mound in West Virginia.

Hopewell artwork

 

Characterized by its geometric designs and use of exotic materials such as copper, mica, and obsidian, with images:

• Hopewell artwork is characterized by its geometric designs, which often feature circles, triangles, and squares.

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  Hopewell geometric design

• Hopewell artists used a variety of exotic materials to create their artwork, including copper, mica, and obsidian.

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  Hopewell obsidian blade

• Hopewell artwork is often found in burial mounds, along with elaborate grave goods such as copper axes, mica ornaments, and marine shell beads.

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  Hopewell burial mound

• Hopewell artwork is thought to have been used for a variety of purposes, including religious ceremonies, trade, and social status.

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  Hopewell ceremonial pipe

• Some of the most famous examples of Hopewell artwork include:

  • The Seip Mound copper axes, which are a pair of copper axes that were found in a burial mound in Ross County, Ohio.
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    Hopewell Seip Mound copper axes
  • The Newark Earthworks, a series of geometric earthen mounds in Newark, Ohio.
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    Hopewell Newark Earthworks
  • The Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville, West Virginia, which is the largest conical mound in the United States.
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    Hopewell Grave Creek Mound

Hopewell artwork 

...is a unique and important part of Native American history and culture. It provides us with insights into the Hopewell people's religious beliefs, trade networks, and social structure.

Hopewell mounds often containing multiple burials, as well as elaborate grave goods such as copper axes, mica ornaments, and marine shell beads, with images:

• Hopewell mounds often contain multiple burials, sometimes as many as hundreds of people.

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  Hopewell multiple burial mound

• Hopewell burials were often accompanied by elaborate grave goods, such as copper axes, mica ornaments, and marine shell beads.

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  Hopewell burial mound with grave goods

• Grave goods were thought to be necessary for the deceased's journey to the afterlife.

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  Hopewell mica ornament

• Some of the most common grave goods found in Hopewell mounds include:

  • Copper axes
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    Hopewell copper axe
  • Mica ornaments
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    Hopewell mica ornament
  • Marine shell beads
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    Hopewell marine shell beads
  • Obsidian blades
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    Hopewell obsidian blade
  • Ceramic vessels
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    Hopewell ceramic vessel
  • Stone pipes
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    Hopewell stone pipe
  • Animal bones
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    Hopewell animal bone

• The type and quantity of grave goods found in a Hopewell burial mound indicate the status and wealth of the deceased.

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  Hopewell burial mound with elaborate grave goods

• Hopewell mounds are often located near rivers and streams, which were important transportation routes and sources of food and water.

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  Hopewell mound near river

• Hopewell mounds were also often located near sources of exotic materials, such as copper, mica, and obsidian.

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  Hopewell copper mine

• The construction of Hopewell mounds required a great deal of labor and planning, which suggests that the Hopewell people had a well-organized society.

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  Hopewell mound construction

• Hopewell mounds are a sacred part of Native American culture and history.

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  Hopewell mound today

  Test

  Test on the above information:

  Question 1: What are two characteristics of Hopewell artwork?

• A. Geometric designs and the use of exotic materials such as copper, mica, and obsidian.
• B. Large size and complex construction.
• C. Religious and trade purposes.
• D. All of the above.

Question 2: What are some of the most common grave goods found in Hopewell mounds?

• A. Copper axes, mica ornaments, and marine shell beads.
• B. Obsidian blades, ceramic vessels, and stone pipes.
• C. Animal bones, exotic feathers, and geometric designs.
• D. All of the above.

Question 3: Why were Hopewell mounds often located near rivers and streams?

• A. For easy transportation and access to food and water.
• B. For religious ceremonies and trade purposes.
• C. To be close to sources of exotic materials.
• D. All of the above.

Question 4: What does the construction of Hopewell mounds suggest about the Hopewell people?

• A. They were a well-organized society with a great deal of labor and resources.
• B. They were a religious people who believed in the afterlife.
• C. They were a wealthy people who could afford to trade for exotic materials.
• D. All of the above.

Question 5: What is the significance of Hopewell mounds?

• A. They are a sacred part of Native American culture and history.
• B. They provide us with insights into the Hopewell people's religious beliefs, trade networks, and social structure.
• C. They are some of the largest and most complex archaeological sites in North America.
• D. All of the above.

Answers:

1. D
2. D
3. A
4. D
5. D

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  Here is a 20 question test on the above information:

  Multiple Choice

• The Adena people lived in West Virginia from:

  • 800 BC to 200 BC
  • 200 BC to 500 AD
  • 900 AD to 1600 AD
  • 1600 AD to 1900 AD

• The Hopewell people were known for their:

  • Large burial mounds
  • Intricate artwork
  • Sophisticated trade networks
  • All of the above

• Hopewell artwork is characterized by its:

  • Geometric designs
  • Use of exotic materials
  • Religious significance
  • All of the above

• Hopewell mounds often contain:

  • Multiple burials
  • Elaborate grave goods
  • Are located near rivers and streams
  • All of the above

• The Grave Creek Mound is the largest:

  • Adena mound in West Virginia
  • Hopewell mound in West Virginia
  • Conical mound in the United States
  • Earthen mound in the United States

True/False

6. The Hopewell people were a peaceful people. (True)
7. The Adena people were skilled farmers and artisans. (True)
8. Hopewell artwork is often found in burial mounds. (True)
9. The Newark Earthworks are a series of geometric earthen mounds in Newark, Ohio. (True)
10. The Seip Mound copper axes are a pair of copper axes that were found in a burial mound in Ross County, Ohio. (True)

Fill in the Blank

11. The Hopewell people lived in West Virginia from ____ to ____. (200 BC to 500 AD)
12. Hopewell artwork is often made from materials such as ____, ____, and ____. (copper, mica, and obsidian)
13. Hopewell mounds were often built near ____ and ____. (rivers and streams)
14. The Grave Creek Mound is located in ____, West Virginia. (Moundsville)
15. The Newark Earthworks are located in ____, Ohio. (Newark)

Short Answer

16. What are some of the reasons why Hopewell mounds are important?

17. What are some of the challenges that Hopewell people faced in building their mounds?

18. What are some of the ways that Hopewell people used their trade networks?

19. What are some of the different theories about the meaning of Hopewell artwork?

20. How have Hopewell mounds and artifacts helped us to learn more about Hopewell culture?

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