Ohio Mississippians: Prehistoric Peoples in the Heartland
The Ohio and Mississippi River corridors have been home to numerous Native American cultures since before recorded history began. In fact, indigenous populations in the region date back to at least 13,000 years ago. Prehistoric cultures such as Woodland, Mississippian, and Adena brought a diversity of lifestyle and traditions to the area that in turn had an immense impact on the environment.
The first notable culture to settle in the region was the Adena. Vacated around 200 BC, the Adena were a farming people and a people of advanced industrial development, creating tools and pottery that are still visible today. These skills would be important building blocks for later generations of Native Americans. Then, from around 200 BC to 800 AD, the Woodland culture, with its religious and subsistence practices, would take hold.
The most widely-known of these early peoples were the Mississippians, who occupied the area beginning in 800 AD until approximately 1600 AD. The Mississippians developed their culture during this time to include a substantial maize agriculture, a more complex mythometric religion, and a wide-reaching trade network. Central to the rise of the Mississippians was the development of their chiefdoms and the creation of mounds, sites that they used to conduct ceremonies and interment, as well as to mark the site of their settlements.
Among the various artifacts left behind by the Mississippians were figurines and carvings, which revealed the complexity of their society. In particular, archaeologists believe that their mythometric religion, which focused on idols, was of great importance to them. The most recognizable silhouette of this religion is found in the carved figure known as “The Big Black Warrior” which dates back to around 1000 AD. The figurine is part of a collection located in the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, believed to be among the key pieces from the era to survive today.
The impact of the Mississippian culture can be seen in the cities and towns still located in the region today. For example, the city of St. Louis, Missouri is built around Cahokia Mounds, a former Mississippian site. Even the state of Mississippi is named in honor of the tribe and their influence. However, it is also worth noting that following the arrival of Europeans in the region, the number of Ohio Mississippians dwindled. It is estimated that in the early 1600s, there were between 10,000 to 20,000 members of the nation living in the region, but by 1700 that population had decreased to just 1,000 members.
Today, the impact that the Ohio Mississippians had on the environment, art and culture of the region has been recognized and, in the late 20th century, archaeologists and historians began to uncover more about these ancient peoples and the world they lived in.
Spanish Interactions with the Ohio Mississippians
The Spanish were the first Europeans to interact with the Ohio Mississippians. Between 1539 and 1543, a group of Spanish explorers led by Hernando de Soto, ventured throughout the region looking for gold and silver. Although they never found the valuable natural resources they were seeking, they discovered what would become the southeastern United States.
During their expeditions, the Spanish encountered numerous Mississippian tribes. At the time, these tribes were engaged in a variety of activities such as agriculture, trade, and religious ceremonies. According to reports from the Spanish, these tribes appeared to have a strong sense of community and an organized political hierarchy.
In fact, during one of their meetings with the Native Americans, de Soto is recorded to have inquired about the chief governing the unified tribes. The response he received was that the Ohio Missippian tribes were headed by four rulers. One of these rulers was the Grand Chief of the four nations that lived in the region – the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Natchez.
The Spanish had a significant impact on the Ohio Mississippians, introducing new technologies and new diseases that would have far reaching effects on the population. However, despite their influence the Spanish did not settle the region. Spanish contact with the Ohio Mississippians began to decline by the late 1600s after other European settlers began to arrive in the area.
Continuing Tradition of the Ohio Mississippians
The four tribes that were identified by the Spanish would remain unified by the 18th century and were formally known as the Four Civilized Tribes. While their historical roots may have been altered by events such as the Trail of Tears, the four tribes continue to remain unified, keeping alive the legacy of their predecessors.
The Union of the Four tribes still holds significant ceremonial and religious events for their people, often at the same sites used in ancient times. These sites are respected and treated as sacred places, much as they were by their ancestors.
In addition to maintaining traditional religious and ceremonial practices, several of the tribes, most notably the Chickasaw, also have a thriving business presence. The Chickasaw Nation runs a number of casinos, businesses and a medical center in Oklahoma. Despite their struggles, the legacy of the Ohio Mississippians continues to this day.
The Impact of Climate Change on the Ohio Mississippians
Although human activity has undoubtedly had an impact on the environment, it is not the only factor. Climate change has had an impact on the Ohio Mississippians just as it has on most other cultures.
With an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the region surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi rivers has become subject to both extreme heat waves and floods. The matter has been made worse by the loss of wetlands near the river, which can act as buffers to help reduce the effects of extreme weather. Thus, in the face of environmental change, the Ohio Mississippians, their livelihoods and their traditional culture, have been put at risk.
As a result, the traditional methods of subsistence have been altered dramatically, with fishermen, hunters and gatherers struggling to find the food they need to survive. Even bushcraft, once a staple of the Ohio Mississippi culture, has become exceedingly difficult in an environment where rising temperatures and floods can quickly overrun a hunting area or fishing lake.
With the threat of further climate change, it is important to consider the plight of the Ohio Mississippians and understand that it is not only their culture and history that are at risk, but their very future as a people.
Archaeological Discoveries of the Ohio Mississippians
The legacy of the Ohio Mississippians not only continues to be felt in the modern world, but it also entices archaeologists from around the world. Over the past few centuries, excavations have revealed numerous sites abandoned by Ohio Mississippians, including mounds, villages and burial grounds.
The most notable of these sites is the Cahokia Mounds, located near modern-day St. Louis. It is one of the most important sites in North American prehistory and one of the largest city sites in North America prior to the 14th century. Archaeological excavations have revealed numerous artifacts, many of which have revealed Mississippian artwork, ritual objects and subsistence practices.
The discovery of these sites has allowed archaeologists to uncover more about the history of the Ohio Mississippians, which in turn has shed light on the history of the region. Furthermore, the discovery of these sites has provided insight to the shared history of Native Americans in the United States and has been instrumental in fostering a better understanding of the culture and traditions of these early peoples.
Preserving the Legacy of the Ohio Mississippians
A key part of preserving the history of the Ohio Mississippians is education and outreach programs, which aim to inform the public of their culture and history. These programs often involve local Native American tribes, museums, universities and other institutions, which work together to share their knowledge with the public.
In addition to educational programs, certain states have also created preservation districts, which aim to protect and preserve archaeological sites, art and artifacts. For instance, in Missouri there are six such districts which have been designated to protect sites associated with the Ohio Mississippians and other tribes that inhabited the area.
The preservation of these sites is of major importance, as they serve as tangible reminders of a people who called the Ohio and Mississippi rivers home for many years. The sites also provide a valuable source of information to modern researchers, allowing them to get a better understanding of early Native American lifestyles.
By dedicating resources to preserving the legacy of the Ohio Missippians, we show our respect for the culture and tradition of these early peoples, and keep alive a story that would otherwise have been lost to the ages.
