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Early archaeological evidence of people in what is today known as Texas places the first inhabitants at about 12,000 years ago. The people who lived in Texas before events were recorded are known as prehistoric peoples. During this prehistoric era, people were nomadic and moved with the seasons in search of food. Approximately 5,000 years ago some of these prehistoric peoples developed agriculture and were able to settle in one place for much of the year. Some of the crops these early farmers planted and cultivated were beans, squash, pumpkins, peanuts, potatoes and corn or maize. In addition to planting crops, some native peoples domesticated animals. Once these native people began leading a settled existence, their societies grew in complexity and are referred to as civilizations. Archaeologists defined periods of development for the native people. The people who lived in each time period exhibit certain skills, tools and ways of life. Contact from European explorers brought new diseases, trade goods and cultural influence to Native populations. The reactions of the Native populations were as varied as the groups were numerous. Regardless of friendship or hostility, Native peoples were seen as an obstacle to European and Anglo settlement in the region known as Texas. In the nineteenth century the Native peoples who had survived the spread of European disease, settlement and warfare were relocated to Indian reservations. |
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