WEST VIRGINIA - known for its rugged mountains, dense forests, and winding rivers, has a history that stretches far beyond its statehood. Long before European settlers arrived, the land that would become West Virginia was home to a succession of Native American cultures, each leaving its mark on the landscape and shaping the region's story.
Unearthing West Virginia's Ancient Past: The Story of the State's First Inhabitants
This article explores the deep history of West Virginia's first inhabitants, from the earliest Paleoindians to the historic tribes European explorers and colonists encountered.
The Paleoindians: Pioneers of a New Land (c. 10,500 B.C.)
The story of human presence in West Virginia begins with the Paleoindians. Arriving around 10,500 B.C., these nomadic hunters were among the first people to inhabit the region, following the retreat of the glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age, as evidenced by archaeological discoveries at sites like the St. Albans Archeological Site and others throughout the state (Source: West Virginia Division of Culture and History, archaeological reports). These early inhabitants believed to be of Asian origin, were skilled hunters who pursued large game animals that roamed the post-glacial landscape.
The Archaic Period: Adapting to a Changing Environment (7000 - 1000 B.C.)
As the climate warmed and the large Ice Age mammals disappeared, the Archaic peoples adapted to the changing environment. This period, lasting from approximately 7000 to 1000 B.C., saw the development of more diverse hunting and gathering strategies, new tools like atlatls (spear-throwers), and a greater reliance on plant resources. Distinct Archaic cultures emerged in different parts of West Virginia, including the Northern Panhandle, the Eastern Panhandle, and the Kanawha River Valley, as revealed by archaeological excavations and research (Source: West Virginia Archaeological Society publications).
The Early Woodland Period: Pottery and Burial Mounds (1000 - 200 B.C.)
The Early Woodland Period marked a significant cultural shift. From roughly 1000 to 200 B.C., Native American societies in West Virginia began to produce pottery, a technological innovation that allowed for more efficient cooking and storage of food. This period also saw the construction of burial mounds, reflecting increasingly complex social structures and spiritual beliefs (Source: Archaeological studies of Woodland period sites in West Virginia). This was when the Adena culture was most prevalent.
Historic Tribes: A Diverse Landscape
By the time of European contact in the 17th and 18th centuries, several distinct Native American tribes inhabited or frequented what is now West Virginia:
- Shawnee: A powerful Algonquian-speaking tribe, the Shawnee had a significant presence along the Ohio River and its tributaries, engaging in hunting, agriculture, and trade (Source: Shawnee Tribe website, historical accounts of the Ohio Valley).
- Delaware (Lenape): While primarily associated with the Delaware River Valley further east, groups of Delaware (Lenape) also inhabited parts of West Virginia, interacting with other tribes and, eventually, with European settlers (Source: Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, historical records). They were pushed out by the late 1700s.
- Seneca and Mohawk: These were Iroquoian tribes. These Iroquois nations, primarily based in present-day New York, exerted influence in north-central West Virginia, particularly in the area around present-day Morgantown, controlling hunting grounds and trade routes (Source: Haudenosaunee Confederacy website, historical accounts of the Iroquois).
- Susquehannock: This tribe's name meant people of the muddy river.
European Settlement and its Impact
The arrival of European settlers in the 18th century marked a turning point in the history of West Virginia's Native American populations. The first permanent white settlement in West Virginia is often attributed to Morgan Morgan at Mecklenburg (now Shepherdstown) around 1731, although some sources suggest earlier settlements in the 1720s. (Source: West Virginia Encyclopedia). Tribal conflicts, exacerbated by European involvement in the fur trade and competition for land, coupled with the devastating impact of European diseases to which Native Americans had no immunity, led to a significant decline in Indigenous populations and the eventual displacement of many tribes from their ancestral lands.
West Virginia's first inhabitants' story is about resilience, adaptation, and cultural diversity. From the earliest Paleoindians to the historic tribes encountered by European settlers, Native Americans shaped the landscape and history of West Virginia for millennia. Understanding and honoring this rich Indigenous heritage is essential to thoroughly appreciate West Virginia's past and present. Ongoing archaeological research, preservation efforts, and the continued presence of Native American communities ensure that the stories of West Virginia's first people continue to be told.
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Sources:
- West Virginia Division of Culture and History
- West Virginia Archaeological Society
- Ohio History Connection
- Shawnee Tribe website
- Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania
- Haudenosaunee Confederacy website
- Archaeological studies of Paleoindian, Archaic, and Woodland period sites in West Virginia
- Historical accounts of the Ohio Valley and European colonization
- West Virginia Encyclopedia
