Archaic Economy
Deer, Plants, Smaller Animals, and More Fish
Early Archaic peoples were, for the most part, mobile hunter and gatherers like their Paleoindian predecessors. The faunal and plant remains from numerous archaeological sites in the American Bottom indicate that these small bands exploited a diversity of habitats. White-tailed deer, and small mammals like rabbit and squirrel became the dietary staples. Plant foods probably formed the bulk of the Archaic diet, hints of which are found in the charred acorns, nut shells, and seeds from Archaic sites in the valley.
Still, human groups adapted to the changing environment, gradually changing their hunting and foraging strategies. It is notable, for example, that although still less significant that terrestrial resources, fish and other aquatic resources became increasingly important items in the Archaic diet by about 8000 years ago.