Around A.D.1000, Native American culture in the Eastern woodlands of North America underwent dramatic changes. For the first time, the practice of large scale farming of corn, beans, and squash led to substantial settlements and a sedentary way of life. The newly introduced bow and arrow allowed for more intense hunting, and possibly warfare.
In the Ohio Valley (West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio), a new late prehistoric to protohistoric culture called Fort Ancient emerged. It was characterized by palisaded villages with large rectangular houses arranged around a central plaza in the rich bottomlands of the region’s many streams. This volume explores sixteen of these sites in southern West Virginia and documents the history of archaeology in the region.
Archaeologist Darla Spencer has produced a lively introduction to this fascinating culture in West Virginia. Nicely illustrated and easy to read, it is an outstanding addition to a growing appreciation of the Fort Ancient people.
