Jens Jacob Asmussen Worsaae (generally acknowledged as the first true professional archaeologist) succeeded Thomsen at the museum. His field work lead to what is called the Law of Association, which states "objects placed in a grave as part of a burial generally consist of things in use at the time of interment".

Sir John Lubbock later subdivided the Stone Age into Paleolithic (old stone age) and Neolighic (new stone age) periods. The Mesolithic (middle stone age) period became recognized in the late ninetheenth century, completing the system commonly used today.

• Palaeolithic Period (old stone age) - characterized by the emergence of primitive man and the manufacture of unpolished chipped stone tools - about 3 million years ago until about 12,000 BC.
   
  • Lower Palaeolithic - Began 3 million years ago and ended about 70,000 BC with the emergence of Neanderthal Man.
     
  • Middle Palaeolithic - Lasted between 70,000 and 40,000 BC
     
  • Upper Palaeoilithic - Began about 40,000 BC and ended around 12,000 BC with the emergence of Modern Man
  
   
• Mesolithic Period (middle stone age) - characterized by the first appearance of small flint tools which were part of a composite weapon, such as a projectile point or knife blade - from 12,000 BC to 3,000 BC.
   
• Neolothic Period (new stone age) - characterized by primitive crop growing and stock rearing and the use of polished stone and flint tools and weapons - from 3,000 BC to 2,000 BC.
   
• Bronze Age - characterized by weapons and tools made of bronze and widespread trading - from 2,000 BC to 500 BC.
   
• Iron Age - characterized by the rapid spread of iron tools and weapons - from 500 BC.
   
• Historical Periods - characterized by written records of historical events.

This task introduces the distinctions between the archaeological periods. Answer the questions related to each link below.

The people who migrate are called migrants, emigrants, immigrants, or settlers, depending on historical setting and perspective.

This task introduces some historical migrations and migration theories. Answer the questions related to each link below.

Clovis points range in size from one to five inches in length and have been found in association with mammoth remains.

Folsom points are typically smaller and broader. They ocur later and have been fond with remains of extinct bison.

Fluted Paleo-American Points	Non-fluted Paleo-American Points

This task introduces some early cultures and their projectile points. Answer the questions related to each link below.

Ice Age mammals, such as the mammoth and mastodon, died out about 8,000 years ago. Hunters of the Archaic Period relied on smaller herd animals such as bison, deer, and elk that were better adapted to the changing environment. The people were forced to supplement their diet with locally available plants, coming to be called "hunter-gatherers".

New tools, such as the atlatl, ground-stone axes, and grinding slabs and stones mark the Archaic Period. Although the projectile points were still well made, they exhibit a noticeable decline in the level of skill required to produce them when compared to points of the Paleo-American period. Fine patterned flaking was abandoned as styles became more numerous and varied. Projectile points of the early Archaic period, such as the Dalton point, are medium to large in size. The smaller side-notched points were almost certainly dart points.

Pictographs dated to about 7000 B.P. show atlatls with boat stones or banner stones. Theories about the function of these stones range from functioning as balance weight, sound silencers, or performance enhancers, to charmstones used to bring luck to the hunter.

Toward the end of the Archaic period the climate stabilized, becoming much like it is today. The once nomadic groups were learning to exploit their environment and becoming semi-sedentary in their lifestyle.

This task introduces key characteristics of the Archaic period. Use this Archaic period webpage to answer the following questions.

1. Describe the major environmental event associated with the Early Archaic Period.
    
2. What evidence is used to support the idea that the Early Archaic culture consisted of an increasing poplation that traded resources?
    
3. The Middle Archaic period in the Southeast is marked by what cultural change?
    
4. What strategy of resource exploitation was used during the Middle Archaic period?
    
5. What strategy of resource exploitation was used during the Late Archaic period?

This task introduces key characteristics of the Woodland period. Use this Woodland period webpage to answer the following questions.

1. What was the major technological advancement during the Woodland period?
    
2. What caused many of the nomadic tribes to begin using permanent villages?
    
3. What area was covered by the trade network developed during the Middle Woodland period?
    
4. What three food crops were called the "Three Sisters"?

Virtually all prehistoric arrows that have been found in North America (mostly in dry caves and rock shelters of the Southwest) are made of cane, fitted with a short foreshaft of hardwood notched for the arrow point. These cane shafts are extremely light, which explains why such light-weight stone or petal points were attached to them.

This task introduces key characteristics of the Mississippian period. Use this Mississippian culture webpage to answer the following questions.

1. What structures are representative of the Mississippian culture?
    
2. For what is the Mississippian culture named?
    
3. Contact with what group of people is thought to have brought the Mississippian "Stage" to a close?
    
4. What was usually constructed atop Mississippian mounds?
    
5. What was used as tempering agents in Mississippian ceramics?
    
6. What type of lifeway was abandoned during the Early Mississippian period?
    
7. What type of "government" was formed during the Middle Mississippian period?
    
8. The Late Mississippian period is characterized by what three things?
    
9. Who lead the Spaniards who made the first full contact with the Mississippians?
    
10. What did contact with Europeans indirectly do that changed the Mississippian culture?

This task introduces the Spiro Mounds. Use this Spiro Mounds webpage to answer the following questions.

1. What culture built the Spiro Mounds?
    
2. What states were the other three regional mound centers tied with Spiro located in?
    
3. The mounds at Spiro were built between what years?
    
4. Why is the Spiro Mounds site world renowned?
    
5. Joseph Thoburn did the first known dig at the site. In what year did this occur?
    
6. In what year were commercial diggers acquire the lease for Craig Mound?
    
7. In what year did the Oklahoma Legislature finally shut down the Pocola Mining Company?
    
8. In what year did the University of Oklahoma begin scientific excavation of Craig Mound?
    
9. What world event ended excavations?
    
10. How many pounds of shell beads are estimated to have been removed from Craig Mound?
     
11. How many examples of engraved shell artifacts are recorded from Craig Mound?
     
12. Why was finding so many artifacts made of "organic" materials at the site so special?
     
13. In what years were the last scientific digs done at the site?
     
14. In what year was the Spiro Mounds Group listed on the National Register of Historic Places?