Archaic period (North America)

Periods in North American prehistory
Lithic stage before 8500 BC Archaic period 8000–1000 BC Formative stage 1000 BC – AD 500 Woodland period 1000 BC – AD 1000 Classic stage AD 500–1200 Post-Classic stage after 1200 See also List of archaeological periods (Mesoamerica)
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In the classification of the archaeological cultures of North America, the Archaic period in North America, taken to last from around 8000 to 1000 BC^[1] in the sequence of North American pre-Columbian cultural stages, is a period defined by the archaic stage of cultural development. The Archaic stage is characterized by subsistence economies supported through the exploitation of nuts, seeds, and shellfish.^[2] As its ending is defined by the adoption of sedentary farming, this date can vary significantly across the Americas.

The rest of the Americas also have an Archaic Period.^[2]