Woodland Period
New innovations such as the bow and arrow and pottery were developed. They made life easier and created distinct cultural and regional groups. Buffalo jumps were used to improve hunting and the first of many burial mounds were constructed.
Many different types of technological traditions can be found during this time, indicating that the regional differences were more distinct. The Prairie side-notched point can be found over many locations and has a huge distribution over time as well, right up until the first contact with Europeans. The Avonlea type points represent the first type of bow and arrow technology seen on the plains, very small and finely crafted. Pottery from this period can also be found, and again, shows distinct regional differences to its decoration although, it was almost always used for storage or cooking. The softened clay could be coiled to build up the vessel sides, and surfaces could be roughened or smoothed, and decorated with distinct patterns and imagery. Trade during this time was also extensive, there are many examples of stone tools that are made from stone that is not local to the region. Personal decorations such as pieces made from copper or shells show that during this time trade networks were reaching farther than they ever had, to Florida in the south or Washington in the west.