Artifacts provide clues to the region's 'hunter-gatherers'

Students learn along the interpretive trail.

The center is unique in its remarkable number of artifacts, when compared with other documented sites in the Kingsland area. Often one finds only portions of any cultural period represented at a site, but at this center, artifacts represent much of known prehistory as well as the European Historical Period in Central Texas, an approximate 10,000-year time span from the end of the Ice Age to pioneer times.

The prehistoric people who once lived at this site are known as “hunter-gatherers.”   This term describes the way of life these people followed -- hunting game animals, collecting plants and fishing. Their campsites were temporary. Once resources became depleted, these groups moved to new areas to meet their basic needs. Archaeologists speculate that the unusually large number of artifacts suggests that this site was a frequent camping area for various groups to socialize, share information and trade. Although artifacts uniquely identifying all periods have not yet been found, archaeologists know enough to place certain ancient peoples at the Nightengale site.

Drawing of chert (or flint) point fragments indicate a weapon used on the site by Paleoindian people.

Artifacts found at Nightengale
The following provides examples of the artifacts from different time periods discovered at the center.

Paleoindian period -- 10,000 to 8000 B.C.
A few projectile point fragments indicate a possible early use of this site by Paleoindian people. They were hunters of large and now extinct ice-age mammals, such as mammoth and large bison. The weapon points were shaped from chert (flint), a plentiful stone in the area.

Archaic period -- 6,000 B.C. to A.D. 700
As the climate turned warmer and drier, big-game mammals slowly died out. The people of this period adapted their hunting practices to smaller animals, including deer, possums, rabbits, skunks, squirrels, canines, reptiles, turtles, fish and birds.
Plants became more important as a dependable food source. Groups probably developed a pattern of seasonal migration, possibly to and from the Texas coast for certain plants and animals. For hunting large animals, the people used the atlatl (pronounced “AHT-laht-l”), a combination of a stick and a spear. The stick increased the momentum of the spear when it was released.

A drawing of a Pedernales dart point used by prehistoric hunter-gatherers about 4,000 years ago.

Late prehistoric period -- A.D. 700 to 1600
The people of this period began using the bow and arrow, creating arrowheads that were thinner and sharper than previous spear points. This period is also marked by the development of pottery and the wider use of cemeteries.

Historic period -- after A.D. 1600
European explorers documented the more recent Indian groups of the Central Texas area, but historians will never know much about the “tribes” of 400 years ago represented at Nightengale. Recent Indian tribes generally did not live at the site long enough to leave much evidence of their presence. Area Indian groups were uprooted as missionaries, traders and explorers migrated into Central Texas. In the 18th Century, arrow and spear points made of metal, brass, and iron replaced those of stone. Eventually most Indian groups in this area disbanded, were relocated or killed.

Handheld grinding stones made from granite were used to grind seeds, nuts, or other vegetation on another rock.

Children learn archeologists are like detectives
School tours offer children a chance to understand the remarkable technological and social changes occurring over time for the people who have lived along the Colorado River basin. Children have the opportunity to touch and use replicas of Native American tools and learn the scientific aspects of archaeology. They also experience the value of historic preservation and the need to protect artifacts and sites for future study.

A drawing of a four-beveled knife, likely used for processing bison during the late prehistoric period.

Through the “dig box excavation” activity, the students find that archeologists work like detectives to interpret the materials and features of articles they uncover. They realize that archaeology is a multi-disciplinary science that involves skills in math, geography, geology, biology and history.

Adults learn too
Public tours offer adults some surprises. Visitors have a chance to imagine what life was like for the nomadic hunter-gatherers. The hard life revealed here doesn't fit the movie images of “Indians.” By observing the results of investigations of the site by archaeologists, visitors develop an appreciation of programs to restore, preserve and research such ancient sites.

Educational centers such as Nightengale are among the ways LCRA teaches the public about the natural environment and promotes the conservation of resources. The Llano Uplift Archeological Society, which manages the public tours at the center, provides an excellent example of LCRA's partnership with local citizen groups who support the preservation of the natural and cultural environment.