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Paleo-Indian Archaic Woodland Mississippian European Contact

Archaic Religion

Spiritual Life, Rituals, and Cemeteries

Although rare, some Archaic sites, particularly the larger villages of the Late Archaic, had cemeteries for deceased community members. These cemeteries are a measure of the spiritual beliefs of the community. Ornaments found with some individual burials suggest the link between these Archaic peoples' natural surroundings and their supernatural beliefs.

Atlatl (spear thrower) banner weights may have held more than technological significance. Some are finely carved, ground, and polished works of art and suggest that they may have been intended to provide hunting success by depicting powerful animals and beings of the spirit world.


Paleo-Indian Archaic Woodland Mississippian European Contact