An ancient culture that lived in the northern part of the southwestern United States from approximately 300 AD to 1350 AD. They are referred to as the Fremont Indians because many of their archeological sites were found along the Fremont river in the state of Utah. They were more likely to stay in one place than most of the native people of the area. They are unique in that they weren’t entirely nomadic but were farmers.

 

Fun Facts

• The Fremont people did participate in hunting and gathering, but they also farmed corn, beans, and squash. This allowed them to stay in an area for a long time.
• The style of homes they built are called pit houses. These houses were built half below the ground in a hole or pit. They had a roof covered with sticks, bark, and brush that was covered with earth. These houses kept the inhabitants warm during the winter.
• The Fremonts are a mysterious people. They are prehistoric, which means nothing was written by them. We have to learn about them by what they left behind which leaves many questions unanswered.
• These people created beautiful and unique rock art, basketry, pottery, and figurines. These relics show that they were not only concerned with function, but also with symbolism, beauty, and art. The figurines were possibly used in ceremonies.
• They hunted deer, bighorn sheep, rabbits and rodents using traps, bow and arrow, and atlatls or throwing sticks. They also caught fish using nets and fishhooks.
• The Fremont used willow, yucca, milkweed, and other native fibers available to make their unique style of basketry referred to as one-rod-and-bundle. These baskets were very tightly woven. They also wore moccasins.
• Their rock art depicts human-like forms that are trapezoid shaped and have arms, legs, and fingers. The figures are often elaborately dressed with headdresses, earrings, and necklaces. The art also depicts many animal-like figures including dogs, bighorn sheep, deer, birds, snakes, and lizards. Geometric shapes are also common.
• These people were closely tied to nature and lived in small groups of several families.

 

Vocabulary

Archeology: The study of people who lived in the past through analyzing the things they left behind.

Ceremony: An event or ritual often done in a serious way to show respect and honor.

 

Questions and Answers

Question:

What happened to the Fremont people?

 

Answer: They seem to have disappeared around the year 1300 AD. The climate seems to have changed around that time making farming difficult. Also, other tribes moved into the area. Archeologists don’t know whether the Fremont died off or were assimilated into other tribes.

 

Learn more about the Freemont culture by watching this video.