Describe the Indigenous nations of Virginia past and present

1. describe how archaeologists have recovered artifacts from important places in the history of Indigenous people including, but not limited to Werowocomoco;
2. describe Virginia’s three most prominent Indigenous language groups (e.g., the Algonquian, the Siouan, and the Iroquoian);
3. describethe diversity among the Indigenous nations;
4. describethe relationships and interactions of Virginia’s Indigenous People and their environment, circa 1600; /li>
5. describethe lives and cultures of Virginia’s Indigenous People leading to the present day.

VS.2a Archeologists & artifacts

Archaeology is another way that helps people understand the past.

• Archaeologists study all kinds of material evidence left from people of the past.
• Recent archaeological digs have recovered new material evidence about Werowocomoco and historic Jamestown.
• Werowocomoco was a large Indian town located on the York River, used by Indian leaders for several hundred years before the English settlers came. 
• It was the headquarters of the leader, Powhatan, in 1607. 
•  Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in North America. 
• Archaeologists have discovered the site of the original fort. 
• The recovered artifacts give archaeologists clues about the interactions of English, Africans, and Indians in early Virginia.

VS.2b Algonquian, Siouan, Iroquoian

Virginia’s three most prominent Indigenous language groups were the Algonquian, the Siouan, and the Iroquoian.

• Algonquian languages were spoken primarily in the Tidewater region; the Powhatan were a part of this group.
• Siouan languages were spoken primarily in the Piedmont region – the Monacan were part of this group.
• Iroquoian languages were spoken in Southwestern Virginia and in Southern Virginia near what is today North Carolina; the Cherokee were a part of this group.

VS.1c Virginia’s Rivers and Waterways

• James River: Flows into Chesapeake Bay; Richmond & Jamestown are located on it.
• York River: Flows into Chesapeake Bay; Yorktown is located along it.
• Potomac River: Flows into Chesapeake Bay; Alexandria is along this river.
• Rappahannock River: Flows into Chesapeake Bay; Fredericksburg lies on its banks.

Chesapeake Bay

• Safe harbor
• Provided food and transportation
• Separated the Eastern Shore from mainland Virginia

Atlantic Ocean

• Provided transportation links to Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean

Lake Drummond: Shallow natural lake located in the Coastal Plain region, surrounded by the Dismal Swamp.

Dismal Swamp: Located in the Coastal Plain, known for its rich wildlife.

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