Prehistory of Licking County
The history of Licking County begins nearly 14,000 years ago when the area was still covered by a giant glacier. [1] Near the end of the last Ice Age, the glacier began to retreat and Ohio's climate grew warm and greenery began to takeover the area. During that time, animals wandered into the area, including mastodons, giant beavers and sloths, and saber toothed cats, searching for food. Soon after, the first people came to inhabit the area called Paleoindians, named by scientists to mean really old Indians. [1] These Paleoindians were hunters who survived by hunting and following the herds of animals as they settled across Ohio. They hunted with spear like weapons called atlatl. The Paleoindian culture dominated the area for nearly 6,000 years while the climate continued to grow warmer still. [1]
2000 years ago when the area was occupied by the Hopewell Indians. They lived on the land for a number of years, before disappearing, perhaps moving west to follow the herds of buffalo????
Artifacts
Earthworks
What are earthworks?
Flint Ridge
Where is Flint Ridge?
Moundbuilders Indians
Background on the Native Americans
