The first known (or confirmed) arrivals to the area of northern Ohio / southern shores of Lake Erie appeared around 6500 BC. They were both hunters (wild turkey, deer, black bears) and gatherers (roots, tubers, nuts, berries, and leaves). It is possible that these Archaic Indians first domesticated squash. During this time, the Ice Age was coming to an end, and the deciduous forest of northern Ohio began to take root.

Evidence has been recovered of their flint tools, stone weaponry and bone works including fishhooks. They used nets to capture fish on a larger scale. Their patterns were migratory.



Link: The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency website.