History of Oceania

What types of homes did the First Nations live in?

Types of Homes that First Nations People Lived in:

1. Longhouses:

- Common among the Iroquois and other Eastern Woodland nations.

- Large, rectangular wooden structures covered in bark or animal hides.

- Could be up to 100 feet long and house multiple families.

- Had central hearths and sleeping platforms along the walls.

2. Wigwams:

- Used by many Algonquian and Plains First Nations.

- Dome-shaped structures made of wooden poles covered with birchbark, animal hides, or woven reeds.

- Typically had a single-family occupancy and a central hearth.

3. Teepees:

- Common among Plains First Nations like the Sioux and Blackfoot.

- Conical tents made of wooden poles and covered with buffalo hides.

- Easily portable, allowing for nomadic lifestyles.

4. Pit-houses:

- Found in various regions, such as the Plateau and the Southwest.

- Built by digging a rectangular or circular pit and constructing a roof of logs, earth, and grass.

- Provided insulation from extreme weather conditions.

5. Plank houses:

- Used by some Northwest Coast First Nations like the Haida and Tlingit.

- Rectangular structures made of wooden planks and beams, often with elaborately carved facades.

- Could be multi-story and house several families.

6. Earth lodges:

- Common among some Plains and Midwest nations like the Pawnee and Mandan.

- Large, circular structures built with wooden frames and covered with earth and sod.

- Well-insulated and suitable for cold climates.

7. Igloos:

- Used by Inuit First Nations in the Arctic regions.

- Temporary or semi-permanent snow houses built by stacking blocks of compressed snow.

- Provided insulation and protection from the extreme cold.

It's important to note that these are general categories and there was diversity in housing styles within and between First Nations groups across the continent.