According to the Applied History of Art and Architecture website, some of the earliest surviving pieces of American Indian art date to the ancient Arctic tribes of North America. These tribes settled in the Arctic regions of Alaska and Canada 12,000 years ago. Today, some stone carvings and pottery pieces attributed to these tribes have been recovered. Art historians believe many of these pieces were used in burial ceremonies and to carry household items. In other regions of the United States, ancient pottery and animal-shaped vases have been discovered. Many were painted with geometric patterns and pigments made from natural dyes.
The Plains Indians lived in the region stretching west from the Mississippi River to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Well-known tribes of the Plains Indians include the Cheyenne, Sioux, Crow, Blackfeet and Kiowa. The majority of these tribes were nomadic people who followed herds of buffalo. Their culture centered on the practices of hunting and warfare, according to the AHAA website. As a result, large, stationary pieces of art were not often made by these tribes. According to articles published within the Encyclopedia Smithsonian website, Plains Indian art often depicted tribal drawings on buffalo hides, ceremonial headpieces and hair adornments. Armor-like chest pieces, metal work and musical pipes are also common artistic elements of Plains Indians culture.
The Southwest Indians of North America include tribes native to New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and northern Mexico. According to the AHAA website, Southwestern tribes settled the area as early as 1000 B.C. Originally the culture centered on hunting and gathering. Over time, the Southwest Indians began to build pueblo homes made from clay and grow their own food, which led to a more settled way of life. Pottery became a staple form of artistic expression in the pueblo cultures. Common pueblo tribes include the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico, and the Hopi, the Zuni and the Anasazi tribes. These cultures were some of the first to use liquid clay, firing processes and intricate decorating practices. In addition to pottery, weaving was a commonly practiced craft with many weavers becoming skilled artisans. According to the Encyclopedia Smithsonian, many of the Southwestern tribes developed complex patterns and weaving techniques. In addition to weaving and pottery, jewelry making using silver, turquoise and other gemstones was commonly practiced.
The Western United States was settled by several groups of Indian tribes. The Plateau Indians lived between the Rocky Mountains and the coastal mountain chains of the West Coast. Well-known Plateau tribes included the Nez Perce, the Flathead, the Shuswap and the Walla Walla. These tribes are best known for their baskets woven from corn husks, according to the AAHA website. The Nez Perce were also known for corn husk bags. The West was also home to the Great Basin Indian tribes who lived primarily in Nevada and Utah. Tribes such as the Ute, Washo, Shoshone and Paiute lived a hard life, lacking in natural resources. However, they developed a technique for weaving wild plant fibers into baskets, cradles, container and various other crafts. The California Indians were primarily hunter gatherer tribes and adapted their life to the sea or the mountain environment, depending on where they lived. California tribes included the Pomo, the Hupa, Maidu and the Wintun. Like other Western Indian groups, they were known for their woven baskets that were often adorned with shells and jewels.
The Eastern Indian tribes of America are divided into the Woodland Northeast Indians and the Southeast Indians, according to the AAHA website. Southeastern tribes inhabited the area north of the Gulf of Mexico. Many of these tribes were devastated by disease brought to them by European settlers. Tribes were known for their skills in architecture, building large towns that included individual homes and public spaces. Pottery, painting, yarn crafts and basket-weaving characterized Southeast Indian art. Pieces were often decorated with geometric designs and beaded designs. The Woodland Northeast Indians included tribes living east of the Mississippi from North Carolina to Ontario. These tribes were often changing as European settlers forced many tribes to flee to the west. These tribes developed pottery molds made from inverted jars, ceremonial masks, bead work and quill work. Wampum beads were made from purple beads and shells were used as currency by some Northeastern tribes.
The Arctic Indians settled Alaska and the Arctic regions of northern Canada. For many of these tribes, culture centered around fishing and collective harmony. Some Arctic tribes of note include the Aleut, Inuit, Hare and Cree. Much of the art produced by these tribes were used as survival tools. Bone and walrus ivory carvings are perhaps the most well-known artistic pieces produced by the Arctic tribes.
Today, many modern collections of Indian art can be seen in museums. The Smithsonian recently opened a new museum devoted to Native American cultures on the mall in Washington, D.C. Another popular museum featuring Indian art and cultural exhibitions is the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, according to the museum's website.