Moncur Gallery | Woodland Period
The Moncur Gallery is located in Boissevain, Manitoba. It hosts a variety of displays, fascinating original paintings, models of archaeological work, a map of the area during the time of transition from First nation to European dominance.
Moncur Gallery Boissevain Turtle Mountains Natural History Natives First Nations Manitoba Southwest
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Woodland Period

The woodland period characterizes the time up the historic record sees a vast range of new change to the people of the area.  The climate was much the same as it is now, and people were taking full advantage of the many resources that came from the land; huge herds of animals, diverse plants that could be grown and harvested and large lakes full of marine life.

 

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.

 

AVONLEA

 

 

PRAIRIE SIDE-NOTCHED