Some scientists called ancient Nebraska Native Americans Paleo-Indians. Other scientists call them prehistoric-Indians. Below you will find the ancient people referred to as both.
Paleo-Indians lived in Nebraska between 9,500-7,500 B.C. The climate was very different in those days. It was cooler and wetter than today. The land was covered by pine type forests that later became oak and elm covered.
These ancient people moved all the time. They followed the animals that they hunted. Mammoth, mastodon, and giant bison (buffalo) were some of their favored meats. Scientists know the prehistoric-Indians ate these animals because the bones of the animals were found with marks on them made from flint knives and spears.
As these early Indians moved into later centuries, their knives and spears became better. They began to make pots out of the river clays and decorate them with fancy designs.
In late prehistoric
times (1000-1600 AD), the early mound homes become fancier and larger.
The scientists call these homes earth lodges. These earth lodges
did not change very much over time. The early European explorers
found the Indians living in earth lodges and teepees.