Paiute, Southern
At a glance:
- Series: American Indians Ready Reference
- Categories: Civilizations, Cultures
- Subcategories: Native Americans, American Indians
- Curriculum: American Indian History
- Geographical Location: Arizona, Nevada, Utah
The Southern Paiutes belong to the Numic-speaking group of the Shoshonean branch of the Uto-Aztecan family. They call themselves nuwu, which literally means “human being.” The Paiutes spread across the Great Basin into the northern portion of the southwestern United States around 1000 c.e., replacing prehistoric Pueblo-like peoples who had inhabited the region. Similarities in agricultural production and pottery making indicate that the Southern Paiutes must have learned much from the Pueblos they replaced. Defensive structures and artifacts dated at mid-twelfth century...
[The entire page is 1535 words long]