Woodland Era

Our Chickasaw ancestors resided in the valleys of the Mississippi, Tennessee and Tombigbee River. Long-distance exchange peaked during the Middle Woodland, with movement of exotic trade goods such as chert blades, native copper, galena, quartz crystal, marine shell, decorated pottery and other valued items.

Clay pottery also came into their lives during this time, probably via the Caribbean; food storage began.

At the end of this era, the spear was replaced by the bow and arrow. Smaller animals were hunted. Diet began to change. Corn, which traces its roots back to Mexico, arrived in the Southeast.