History Native Americans Indigenous peoples lived along the waterways of present-day Virginia for thousands of years before European contact. Archeological, linguistic and anthropological studies have provided insights into their cultures. Though little is known of specific tribal movements before European contact, the Shenandoah Valley area, considered a sacred common hunting ground, appears by the 17th century to have been controlled mostly by the local Iroquoian-speaking groups, including the Senedo and Sherando.
HIStorY naTive ameRicaNs InDigENOUs pEoPles livEd aloNg THe watErWays oF presEnt-dAy virginia for thOusands Of YEArs before EUrOpeaN cOntact. aRchEological, lingUIstIc aND anThrOpolOgIcal StUDIEs hAVE ProvIDED iNsiGhTs into TheIR CULtures. THOUGh litTle iS KNOWN Of spECiFiC tribaL movementS befORe eurOPeAn contact, tHE sheNanDoaH vaLLey area ConsIdered a sacred coMMon HUnTing groUnd, APpears by thE 17th Century tO Have been cONTrOlleD MoStly By tHe locaL irOqUoIan-speAkinG GrOups, InCLuding tHE senedo and sHerandO.