Page 41 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

INTRODUCING THE P A CIFIC NOR THWEST  39

THE HISTORY OF THE

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

The vast landscapes of the Pacific Northwest bear the imprint of the geological
forces that carved deep gorges and thrust up soaring mountain peaks. The imprint
left by First Nations peoples who lived in harmony with the land for thousands of
years is less visible. In the early 19th century, after explorers had opened up the
territory, settlers began to arrive and the modern Pacific Northwest was born.

Enough is known about the early Early Life
inhabitants of the region to suggest that Food and other resources were
many enjoyed a good life among the abundant for tribes living in the forests
natural riches. The earliest inhabitants were west of the Cascade Mountains and
likely nomadic hunters who, 15,000 to along the Pacific coast. Many tribes lived
25,000 years ago, crossed a land bridge in well-established settlements, fished
across the then-dry Bering Strait from the rivers for salmon, and, in long
Russia to North America. dugouts, set out to sea in search
These early societies left various traces of of whales. They also cut timber for
their presence. Among intriguing finds is a longhouses – massive dwellings that
14,000-year-old spear point left embedded could house as many as 50 to 60 people.
in fossilized mastodon bones. Sagebrush Tribes living in the harsher landscapes
sandals, on display at the University of east of the mountains had fewer
Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural resources at hand and migrated across
History, are possibly the world’s oldest high-desert hunting grounds in search
shoes, revealing that 10,000 years ago the of bison, deer, and other game. In spring
art of shoemaking was practiced. Other and summer, they moved up mountain
signs that the region was long settled can slopes to pick berries and dig roots.
be found in oral traditions, rife with tales of By the 19th century, tribes living in the
the eruption of Mount Mazama, some 8,000 high deserts had acquired horses and
years ago. Rock carvings and paintings in rode them east to the Great Plains to
Petroglyph Provin cial Park, near Nanaimo, hunt bison, which had become extinct
BC, are thought to be at least 1,000 years old. farther west.

Illustration of First Nations people of the Pacific Northwest
A 1946 illustration of Captain George Vancouver’s ship, HMS Discovery

US_PNW_038-045_History.indd 39 04/07/16 12:33 pm