Different burial customs and the development of a variety of smaller stemmed or notched points suggest the beginning of regional cultural variation. One important invention of this period was the 'atlatl' or spear-thrower. This wooden handle gave a hunter more force to fling a spear, resulting in longer and more accurate throws. During the Archaic, people established trade networks with other groups. Exotic stone and copper became highly prized for making tools and ornaments.
Some artifacts made of copper include large curved knives, spear points, fish hooks and axes.
Ricing The Indian people of the Headwaters Region have long been depending on wild rice as a primary food source. Rice was first harvested from the slow moving rivers and lakes by Indians of the Woodland Culture nearly 1,300 years ago. The long grains of rice were collected in the fall by canoe. One person would push the canoe through the rice beds with a pole while another person used a long stick to bend the stalks over the side of the boat and thrash the grain into the canoe with a second stick. This was often done by treading on the rice in a pit lined with animal skins or some other material.