Old Cordilleran culture facts for kids

The Old Cordilleran culture, also known as the Cascade phase, was an ancient group of Native Americans. They lived in the Pacific Northwestern region of North America. This culture existed for a very long time, from around 9000 or 10000 BC until about 5500 BC.

Who Were the Old Cordilleran People?

The Old Cordilleran culture is one of the earliest known groups of people in the Pacific Northwest. Scientists also call them the Cascade phase. They were skilled hunters and gatherers who adapted to their environment.

Where Did They Live?

These ancient people are believed to have started in Alaska. From there, they slowly moved and settled across a huge area. Their settlements reached as far as Idaho and the plateaus of California. Interestingly, even though they lived near the coast, they are not thought to have been a seafaring society. However, their unique spear points have been found much farther south, even in Mexico and South America.

Tools and Hunting: How They Lived

A very important tool for the Old Cordilleran people was their special Cascade point. This was a simple, leaf-shaped stone tool. It was sharpened on both sides and was usually about 6 cm (2.4 in) long. These tools were very useful. They were used as spears or darts for hunting. They also served as knives for cutting.

Hunting was a big part of their lives. They mainly hunted large animals like deer and bison. But they also caught fish and gathered plants for food. This shows they knew how to use all the resources around them.

Language and Art

Scientists believe these people might have spoken a language from a large group called Macro-Penutian. This is a big family of languages that includes Penutian and Uto-Aztecan. The Old Cordilleran culture also created some of the oldest art ever found in the Pacific Northwest. This shows they had a rich cultural life.