Picosa culture facts for kids
| Geographical range | California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado |
|---|---|
| Period | Archaic |
| Preceded by | Paleo-Indian |
| Followed by | Oshara Tradition |
The Picosa culture describes a way of life shared by ancient people in the American Southwest. These people lived during the Archaic period in North America. This means they lived after the very first people (Paleo-Indians) but before more settled farming cultures.
The name "Picosa" was created in the 1960s by a scientist named Cynthia Irwin-Williams. She combined parts of the names of three important places where these people lived: Pinto Basin, Cochise Tradition, and San Pedro. Even though these places were far apart, the people living there shared similar ways of life.
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The Picosa People's Lifestyle
People of the Picosa culture lived in similar types of homes. They also buried their dead in similar ways. This suggests they had shared beliefs and customs. They were likely hunter-gatherers. This means they moved around to find food, hunting animals and gathering plants.
Tools and Belongings
Scientists have found many tools and items left behind by the Picosa people. These items are very similar across all the Picosa sites. This shows that they used similar technologies. They also had similar personal belongings. These shared items help scientists understand how connected these groups were.
Where the Picosa Culture Was Found
The Picosa culture covered a large area in the American Southwest. Evidence of their way of life has been found in several states. These include California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado.
What Came After Picosa
The Picosa culture eventually changed over time. It was followed by another important culture called the Oshara Tradition. This shows how ancient cultures developed and evolved over thousands of years.
