They are found archaeologically as accompaniments of burials which were placed in earth mounds. At the beginning of the Woodland period the climate of the Mid-South area was essentially modern in appearance. With less reason to move a village, populations became concentrated in small dispersed hamlets during the Early Woodland period. The addition of a horticultural-based economy signals significant changes in social behavior. Burial mounds are the most characteristic of these changes, but do not become prominent until the Middle Woodland period.
Burial mounds are evidence of a complex level of ceremonial behavior.
Fiber-tempered pottery predates the Woodland period. Pottery is important to archaeology. Not only can it be collected in large samples, but it also reflects changes in style and motif. Such changes are used by archaeologists to distinguish between groups from different regions. Circular houses with large cylindrical storage pits and earth ovens nearby were in use.