How do we know?

The way that most of the Native American history is reconstructed is by using and piecing together the various bits of evidence found. Most of the evidence comes from archeological sites where various artifacts and architecture where found.

Some of the smaller artifacts found were tools, weapons, utensils, and ornaments. These artifacts can be made of bone, shell, copper, horn, ivory, asphalt, clay, and/or leather. Various tombs and old dwelling places all over the U.S. have these artifacts.

A few of the more permanent architecture built by the Natives Americans can still be found. For example Eskimo pit houses, dirt mounds created by the Adena, and Anasazi apartments and kivas can still be seen. These were created out of materials that would not so easily be destroy, so some of them have lasted clear to this time period.

Since religion was very important to the Natives, many religious related artifacts have been found. Burial grounds often offer really good clues on religious beliefs. For instance the Adena's dead where cremated, placed in clay basins, or given elaborate tombs. This also tells a little of their social structure as well as the value they placed on the dead.

A few Natives also had religious beliefs that included astronomy as can be seen in the way their village was constructed. The village runes found at Poverty Point in Louisiana were built so that, depending on the time of year, a person could stand on various mounds around the village and the sun would rise directly over the village.

There is also hard evidence of long distance trade and travel. Some of the evidence is in the form of obsidian from Yellowstone, copper from Great Lakes, and marine shells from coasts. These materials were found hundreds, even thousands of miles from their original source. Also some places found like the area called Indian Knoll in Kentucky are believed to be sites of trade for several tribes.

Evidence of agriculture can also be found. Many of the foods native to the US that we eat today such as squash, corn, and beans that were selectively breed by the natives to improve strains from wild varieties. Some of the elaborate canal systems used for irrigation can still be found today.

Although there is no first hand written history of the Native Americans before the Europeans came to the present-day United States,

Although the Indian peoples of the present day US had not developed written languages before the coming of the Europeans, they still left many clues. These clues when put together can help us better understand the history of the US.