Archaeological discoveries

What were the Mohawk inventions?

Mohawk inventions and contributions include:

* Snowshoes: The Mohawk people developed snowshoes around 1,000 years ago. Snowshoes are a type of footwear that enables people to walk on snow without sinking in. They are made of a wooden frame with a network of rawhide or leather strings that create a large surface area. This spreads out the weight of a person, so that they do not sink into the snow.

* Canoes: The Mohawk people also developed canoes, which are narrow, lightweight boats that are made from birch bark. Birch bark is strong and waterproof, and it is very well suited for making canoes. Canoes can be used for transportation, fishing, and hunting.

* Longhouses: Longhouses were the traditional homes of the Mohawk people. Longhouses were long, rectangular buildings that were made of wood and bark. They were often divided into several compartments, and each compartment was home to a different family. Longhouses could be up to 100 feet long and 20 feet wide.

* Wampum: Wampum was a type of bead that was made from the shells of quahog clams. Wampum was used as currency, and it was also used to make necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry. Wampum was often used in ceremonies, and it was also used to record important events.

* The Iroquois Confederacy: The Iroquois Confederacy was a political alliance that was formed by the Mohawk people and four other Iroquois tribes. The Iroquois Confederacy was one of the most powerful native American alliances in North America. The Confederacy was governed by a Grand Council, which was made up of representatives from each tribe. The Grand Council met once a year to discuss important issues and make decisions.