Native Americans:Prehistoric:Woodland

Woodland period people were slightly taller than their Archaic Period ancestors. The average height of Woodland males was 5' 6" tall, and the average height of Woodland females was 5' 3" tall. The life span of Woodland period people was also longer than their Archaic Period ancestors. On average, Archaic people lived about 30 years. In contrast, Woodland people lived between 36 and 40 years. The difference in life span may be attributed to better food supplies and a decrease in the number of times groups moved during the year. Woodland period people lived in villages, often for more than a year before moving to another location.

Village life presented a new problem. Higher concentrations of people living in close contact resulted in more infectious diseases. Infants, young children, and old adults were particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases.

		Pottery figurine, Twenhafel site, Jackson County.

Pottery figurines also inform us about the appearance of Woodland people. Some figurines have distinctive hairstyles, clothing, and ornaments. It is difficult to know if the figurines are realistic. But archaeologists have found ornaments that were worn by people similar to those adorning some of the figurines.