Princess Point complex facts for kids
| Alternative names | Princess Point culture |
|---|---|
| Period | Middle Woodland to Late Woodland |
| Dates | c. 500 CE – 1000 CE |
| Type site | Princess Point site |
| Followed by | Glen Meyer culture |
| Defined by | David Marvyn Stothers |
The Princess Point complex (also known as the Princess Point culture) is a name given by archaeologists to a group of ancient people. They lived in what is now Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, a very long time ago. These people lived during a time called the Woodland period, between about 500 CE and 1000 CE.
They were special because they started growing crops, especially maize (corn). This was a big change from just hunting and gathering food. They also began to settle down in one place instead of moving around a lot. An archaeologist named David Marvyn Stothers first studied and named this culture. Later, the Princess Point complex developed into another group called the Glen Meyer culture.
How People Lived: Farming and Settlements
The Princess Point complex shows a big change in how people lived. They started to rely more on farming, especially growing maize (corn). Before this, people mostly hunted animals and gathered wild plants. Growing corn meant they could stay in one place for longer periods. This is called a sedentary way of life.
David Stothers, the archaeologist, said that their corn farming was "developmental-experimental." This means they were trying out new ways to grow food. They also started building villages with strong fences around them, called palisades. These villages had early versions of longhouses, which are long, shared homes. People began growing corn as a main food source around 500 CE.
Moving to New Areas
During this time, people also started moving more to the west. We can see this from sites like the Glass site (AgHb-5). This site is on the west side of the Grand River.
Later, people moved away from areas near rivers that often flooded. They chose to live on sandy hills and plains in what is now Norfolk County. These areas were better for growing corn because the soil drained water well.
Important Princess Point Sites
Archaeologists have found several important places where the Princess Point people lived. These sites help us learn about their daily lives and how they changed over time.
- Forster site – This site also shows signs of the later Glen Meyer culture.
- Glass site (AgHb-5) – An important site on the Grand River.
- Porteous site (AgHb-1) – This site shows a mix of Princess Point and Glen Meyer cultures.
