Indians of Texas
The Native American Indians of Texas were as diverse as the State, influenced by the local geography in which they were living. Previous to settling in Texas the Indians migrated from other established cultures in the region. Some scholars believe that some Indians in Texas were offshoots of the Olmec, Mayan and Aztec that were already established in Central Mexico. Other tribes were influenced from the Indians of the Ohio River valley and the southwestern Pueblo Indian culture in the New Mexico region. Texas lying in the middle of the continent felt the influences from all Indian cultures surrounding the state and offered a wide array of opportunities for survival. The first Texans dressed themselves in animal skins and simple coverings of woven plants fibers. The footwear worn by prehistoric Texans were made from fibers woven into thick platforms and resembled sandals. Some lived in hide covered tepees but for the most part they slept on grass mats in a lean-to covered with tall grass. Their migration patterns were influenced by the weather and food was only difficult to find during a drought or late freeze. The Indians rarely went without food because of the abundance of resources. They took small animals like rabbits
Their living arrangements were similar to other tribes, they lived in small tepees in the winter and brush covered a lean-to in the summer. The Coahuiltecans were a collection of smaller tribes in the southern part of the state from the Houston area to the Pecos River. They grew pumpkins, tobacco, maize, beans and a variety of other vegetables. The men hunted for food and protected the group from harm while they traveled. The development of villages and farming multiplied the populations of those tribes and became the more advanced cultures of the region. By the time the Spanish reached the tribes in Texas most had sophisticated established cultures. They were fitted with travois that dragged on the ground behind them and were loaded with as much as the animal could carry. They used dogs, the only animal they domesticated at the time, to carry the supplies for the camp. They also have been accused of being cannibals, however they were not any different in the ritualistic cannibalism of other tribes. They wandered the area looking for plants, small animals and reptiles. The Caddo Indians lived in the eastern part of Texas and were the most advanced tribe found in this area during the time period. Burials were dependent on the area and the surrounding land. The social structure of the Texas Indians is similar to that of other areas. In summary, the Indians of Texas adapted to the individual requirements of each area by using the resources available. The used dugout canoes to travel the coast and slept in a lean-to on grass mats.
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