Paleo-Indian Period

The earliest inhabitants of Minnesota (about 6,000 B.C.) were from the Paleo-Indian or Big Game cultures. These peoples are known primarily through their finely made distinctive projectile points. The earliest of this type of point are known as Clovis and Folsum. These points are easily identified through the fluted shape and long groove or flake scar which runs lengthwise. Such points are predominantly known in Minnesota through surface finds in the southern and central regions.

The later peoples of this tradition probably hunted Bison. Their projectile points include two different chipped types. The Browns Valley and Eden or Scottsbluff type points. An example of a Browns Valley point may be seen in the second image as opposed to the earlier Clovis and Folsum points in the first.

Although not much is known on Paleo-Indians in Minnesota, western Minnesota is known for two significant findings. One being the "Minnesota Man" from the late glacial age and the other being the "Brown's Valley Man".

Paleo-Indian sites fall into two categories: Habitations and Kill Sites.

To learn more about how humans got into the New World and into Minnesota in the first place, click here.