There were Indian paths which, many, criss-crossed the state of Michigan before the arrival of Europeans. From Chicago To Detroit. From Detroit which became a major fur trading post after Europeans arrived, north towards Flint and even farther north. Modern day interstate U.S. highway I-75 parallels this ancient path. Indeed, modern state highways follow Indian trails to this day. Territorial Rd runs all the was across lower Michigan and followed originally an Indian path. I-94 which runs from Chicago to Detroit parallels this, Road. Because. These were the only routes which could be used back when Michigan was a dank and inpenetrable forest , filled with swamps and bogs. So, of course the Europeans used these paths and later made roads following these
paths.
Chicago and Detroit were already great trading places for Indians far before this. Tribes could reach Detroit from far, far North and far to the east across the Great Lakes. There are smoking pipes which Indians used made from indigenous clay and stone found only in Minnesota and the Dakotas found all down the Mississippi River valley, evidence of these ancient trade routes and these are all dated through carbon -14 dating methods. From Minnesota to Chicago and then South.
Also Chert stone, or Flint, which was prized to make fine bladed arrowheads, was also traded to distant parts of the country from the area. Furs were traded as were hides also along with pottery. The Lakes and Rivers around the Great lakes area were an easy and often used way to travel with cargo than overland. Birchbark canoes could hold nearly a ton of goods.
Far away, in deep south Texas, in the San Antonio, Texas River valley sits a large city now, right on the San Antonio River. Because in such a parched area as this, there was an oasis for the Spaniards and they identified the site as a possible future settlement.
Now- there are two million people living there. Pottery shards and fragments show that Indians have abided in the San Antonio River Valley dated as far back as 14,000 years ago says the University of Texas at San Antonio Paleo-Archeological Department.
So much for curiosity. And so much for the Asians who originally crossed the land bridge between the Asian and North American continents.
So much for European curiosity.
To have gone and strayed so far from their settlements. They Asians must have been extremely curious. To have traveled all the way to South Texas and established residence there. Naivete sometimes runs rampant here. Hmmmm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Razor
mmmm A little left field I know, but I was just pondering if indigenous people would of made any long journeys on the Great Lakes?..Part of me thinks no, and that they only strayed so far from their settlements to hunt and fish, but another part thinks that perhaps they did as well..Humans are naturally curious after all..Not just the Europeans who came later on.
|
Prev
Most definitaly,
They typically go to Port Colborne Ontario on the Welland Canal instead in order to support visits to the Canadian side of the Falls. Before the St. Lawrence Seaway was completed Buffalo was one of the busiest inland ports in the world...
Linear Mode
