Tennessee as a fantasy map

The state of Tennessee reimagined as a fantasy map. This map is part of the Integral States Project, an art series that encourages reflection about the actual, pre-colonial history of these landscapes as well as the indigenous peoples who called them home. Proceeds benefit native charities.

 You’re very welcome to snag a free copy. Please rate if you like it to help others find these. Thanks! Prints are available at: https://www.redbubble.com/people/aldayuan

 Project website: https://integralstatesproject.com. 

People lived in what is now Tennessee as early as 12,000 years ago. As the ice age ended, conifer trees gave way to deciduous forest. The people who then inhabited the area began to settle on river terraces and establish permanent, towns, some surrounded by walls. They also built complex ceremonial sites such as Old Stone Fort. The word Tennessee likely comes from a Cherokee town named Tanasi, which may itself have been a modification of a Tsoyaha (Yuchi) word meaning “meeting place” or “winding river.” The Cherokee are an Iroquoian speaking people who likely originated in the Great Lakes region and migrated south. The Cherokee Nation is the largest federally recognized tribe in the United States.