As stated before, the end of the Archaic Indian period is given as about 1000 B. C. The next period of prehistoric Indians is usually called the Formative period, which lasted right-up until the time of Native American contact with Europeans, about A. D. 1500. Broadly speaking, the Formative period is defined by the following cultural traits: farming, domesticated animals, village life, houses, trade, pottery, weaving, basketry, the bow and arrow, refined craftsmanship, and elaborate religious ceremonies. Many of the cultural traits typical of Formative Indians were developed during the Archaic period or even before. For example, Indians in what is now Mexico cultivated plants as early as 7000 B. C.; Indians north of Mexico farmed as early as 3500 B. C.; but agriculture and other typical Formative lifeways became widespread among Native North Americans only after 1000 B. C.
After 1000 B. C., highly developed civilizations came into existence, especially in territory that is now Mexico. When speaking of this region with regard to Native Americans, the term Mesoamerica, or Middle America, is used. Because a number of peoples—the OLMEC, MAYA, TOLTEC, and AZTEC—had such highly organized societies, with cities even, what is usually called the Formative period for North America is better called the Classic period for Middle America. (Before the Classic period was the Preclassic period; after the Classic was the Postclassic.)
Formative Indian pipe
The Inca of the Andes Mountains in what is now Peru in South America also had a highly organized civilization, with farming, cities, classes of society, highly refined architecture and art forms, and hieroglyphic writing systems. Yet since this book deals only with North American Indians (with Mexico and the Caribbean area considered part of North America), the Inca are not included. The civilizations of both the Inca of South America and the Aztec of Mesoamerica existed at the time of contact with Europeans, and their downfall was brought about by the Spanish, as recorded in written records from the time. Moreover, Maya hieroglyphics have been discovered that give us a recorded history of these people.
There were also highly developed farming civilizations north of Mexico. These civilizations were influenced by the cultures of Mesoamerica. They occurred in the Southwest and are known as the Anasazi culture, the Hohokam culture, and the Mogollon culture (see SOUTHWEST cultures). Other highly advanced cultures occurred east of the Mississippi River and are known as the Adena culture, the Hopewell culture, and the Mississippian culture (see MOUND BUILDERS).
Once again, the terms used by scholars—such as Prehistoric Indians, Paleo-Indians, Archaic Indians, and Formative Indians—are designed to help in Native American studies. They are not absolute. Exact dates cannot be applied to
Mesoamerican ceramic toy deer with wheels
Them. Knowledge about early Indians keeps growing with continuing archaeological excavations. And different terms are applied in different parts of the continent, depending on how Indians evolved in that particular area. Yet these general terms help give an overview of the intriguing ancestry of Native American peoples and tribes.
World History
