Changing Landscapes, Choosing Lifeways (5,500 B.C.-500 B.C.)

A white panel with a landscape photo at the top reads Changing Landscapes, Choosing Lifeways. Behind the panel is a mural of native americans placing bundles on travois being carried by dogs.

The descendants of the first arrivals adapted to changes in the environment in ways that allowed them to make North Dakota home. They continued to move seasonally but traveled shorter distances than their Paleoindian ancestors. The atlatl, or spear thrower, continued to be used for thousands of years, with modifications to perfect on this important weapon.

View how these people lived and the objects they received in trade:

  • Tipi camp model
  • Aerial photograph of stone circles
  • A variety of atlatl weights and how the atlatl was used
  • Copper artifacts illustrating long-distance trade
  • A wall-sized mural of people in the badlands moving their camp