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Paleo - Indian 10,000-8500 BC
Early Archaic 8500-6000 BC
Middle Archaic 6000-3000 BC
Late Archaic 3000-1000BC
Early Woodland 1000-300 BC
Middle Woodland 300BC-400 AD
Late Woodland 400-1100 AD
Mississippian Period 900-1600 AD
Paleo Indian people are the earliest humans to have entered what is now known as Wisconsin. It is believed that as the glaciers melted the Paleo people followed the melting glaciers from the south and west, following large animals and mastodons for food and survival. Paleo - Indians seem to have been nomadic, traveling in small groups (or clans). This was probably due to the following of food sources, trading with other clans, etc.. Stone artifacts include - but not limited to - rubbing stones, end scrapers, flake knives, & choppers. Probably the best known artifacts of the Paleo - Indians are the Clovis and Folsom points (projectile points). In Wisconsin, the Clovis point is the most common of the two points. Materials of these points varies, indicating that materials were traded or brought to Wisconsin from other areas.
  Copper, and the use of copper , more than likely began in the middle Archaic period, not in the late Archaic period as previously thought. Copper artifacts include such items as beads, spuds, celts , awls, knives, spuds, fish hooks, and spear points.The socketed spear points are one of the most common finds, and still amaze me with the precision in the way they are formed. Awls have been thought in the past to be for punching holes in leather, sewing leather, etc., but it is my opinion that due to the large amounts of awls found, and the locations of the finds, that they were more likely used for spearing frogs, fish, and other small animals that inhabited water areas. It is also possibly that the larger thicker awls may have been used for sewing and domestic work, they well may have been a multi - functional tool depending on the size, length, and thickness.
The Woodland period developed many changes in their cultures. Some of the changes included the developement of plant cultivation, pottery making, & burial mounds.The southern Woodland people in Wisconsin built their villages along the rivers, while the northern Woodland people stayed along the lakes. Much of the activity was concentrated on the Great Lakes, evidence showing the use of harpoons, gill nets, and fishing hooks. The Hopewell culture came to this region during the middle Woodland period. The Hopewell came to this region from the central and lower Illinois river valley. It is believed the Hopewell came to this area for the purpose of trading. Period artifacts include copper necklaces, earspools, pipes, silver, corner notched knives, copper breastplates, and shell ornaments. Wisconsin Hopewell sites are for the most part found in the southern part of Wisconsin, along the Mississippi River. The presence of the Hopewell ended around 400 AD. It is not known what happened to the Hopewell, however exotic trade goods were no longer include in burials after this period.
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