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Cultural Affiliation Marker
Photographer: William J. Toman
Taken: September 4, 2010
Caption: Cultural Affiliation Marker
Additional Description: Two distinct cultures appear to have inhabited Aztalan: Late Woodland and Mississipian peoples. Although other Late Woodland groups lived in the area, the Late Woodland people of Aztalan were different, and likely moved here from the south. These folks had agriculture and distinctive artifact types. During excavations, Mississippian pottery styles were located relatively close to the modern surface, while Late Woodland varieties were found in deeper deposits. However, in the middle levels, some "transitional" pottery styles were found, containing both Mississippian and Late Woodland characteristics. As a result, it is clear that Late Woodland groups occupied the site before the appearance of Mississippians. However, due to the "transitional" pottery, it is not completely clear whether the Late Woodland populations merged with the Mississippian populations, whether the Mississippians gradually replaced Late Woodland occupants, or whether Late Woodland groups "became" Mississippians. Both groups of people likely came here from areas to the south in what is now Illinois.
Submitted: September 29, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.
Database Locator Identification Number: p129988
File Size: 3.605 Megabytes

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