Millingstone Horizon facts for kids

The Millingstone Horizon is a special time in the history of Native American people in California, United States. It's called a "horizon" because it describes a period when people widely used certain tools. During this time, people used tools like manos and metates a lot. These were grinding tools, like a big stone mortar and pestle, used to prepare food.

This period is part of a larger time in history called the Archaic Period. The Millingstone Horizon usually lasted from about 6500 BC to 1500 BC. That's a very long time ago, around 3,500 to 8,500 years ago! Sometimes, this same time period in North America is also known as the Encinitas Tradition.

Archaeologists have found many clues from this time at different sites in California. These clues help us understand how Native American people lived their daily lives during the Millingstone Horizon.

What is the Millingstone Horizon?

The Millingstone Horizon is an important part of California's ancient history. It describes a time when Native American groups mainly used tools for grinding. These tools helped them process wild seeds and plants into food. This way of life was very common across California during this period.

Life in the Millingstone Horizon

During the Millingstone Horizon, people were often hunter-gatherers. This means they hunted animals and gathered wild plants for food. The grinding tools were super important for preparing plant foods. They would grind seeds, nuts, and other plant parts into flour or meal. This made many foods easier to eat and digest. It also allowed them to store food for longer.

People lived in different types of settlements. Some were small camps where they stayed for a short time. Others were larger villages where they lived for longer periods. Their homes were likely simple shelters made from natural materials.

Tools of the Time

The most important tools were the mano and metate.

• A mano is a hand-held stone. People used it to grind or crush things.
• A metate is a larger, flat or slightly curved stone. It was the surface where the grinding happened.

Together, these tools were perfect for turning hard seeds into soft flour. They also used other tools made from stone, bone, and wood for hunting, fishing, and daily tasks.

Where Did People Live?

Many different Native American groups lived in California during the Millingstone Horizon. They lived in various parts of the state, from the coast to inland areas. Archaeologists have found evidence of their presence all over.

Example Sites

The Chumash people are one group who lived in California during this time. Today, their ancestral lands include parts of San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, and Ventura County.

One important example of a Millingstone Horizon site is at Morro Creek. This site is near the modern town of Morro Bay. At Morro Creek, archaeologists have found many signs of coastal Chumash people living there during the Millingstone period. These findings help us learn about their diet, tools, and how they used the resources from the ocean and land.