Pre-Contact Massapequa: The Lenape Way of Life

(12,500 Years Ago - 1600s)

The Massapequa region was the ancestral home of the Algonquian-speaking Lenape people for thousands of years. Their lives were deeply connected to the natural world.

• Skilled Hunter-Gatherers: The Lenape hunted deer, elk, and waterfowl and were adept at fishing the Great South Bay, utilizing shellfish and fish. Archaeological finds include stone arrowheads, bone tools, and fishing gear.

• Wampum & Agriculture: They were skilled artisans, crafting pottery, tools, ornaments, and wampum, which served as currency and held sacred meaning. They cultivated corn, beans, and squash, known as "The Three Sisters."

• Stewardship: Lenape communities, led by sachems, acted as stewards of the land, managing resources, trade, and even assisting early Dutch and English leaders.