<P> The earliest discovered human settlements in what eventually became North Carolina are found at the Hardaway Site near the town of Badin in the south - central part of the state . Radiocarbon dating of the site has not been possible . But, based on other dating methods, such as rock strata and the existence of Dalton - type spear points, the site has been dated to approximately 8000 B.C.E., or 10,000 years old . </P> <P> Spearpoints of the Dalton type continued to change and evolve slowly for the next 7000 years, suggesting a continuity of culture for most of that time . During this time, settlement was scattered and likely existed solely on the hunter - gatherer level . Toward the end of this period, there is evidence of settled agriculture, such as plant domestication and the development of pottery . </P> <P> From 1000 B.C.E. until the time of European settlement, the time period is known as the "Woodland period". Permanent villages, based on settled agriculture, were developed throughout the present - day state . By about 800 C.E., towns were fortified throughout the Piedmont region, suggesting the existence of organized tribal warfare . An important site of this late - Woodland period is the Town Creek Indian Mound, an archaeologically rich site occupied from about 1100 to 1450 C.E. by the Pee Dee culture of the Mississippian tradition . It became a colony in 1653 . </P> <P> North Carolina were home to several distinct culture groups . Along the east coast were the Chowanoke, or Roanoke, & Croatan nations, Algonquian speaking people . The Chowanoke lived north of the Neuse River & the Croatan south or it . They had (along with the Powhatan, Piscataway & Nanticoke further north) adopted a governing system whereas there would be a largely patriarchal society living under the rule of several local chiefs who all answered to a single, higher ruling chief & formed a council with him to discuss political affairs . This was different from the more common Algonquian approach, which was more of a Socialist style of governing without a true, full - time government . The Chowanoke became protected by the English in the late 17th century, but dissolved complete in the 19th . Their descendants reformed during the 21st century . In the 18th century, the Croatan & several local Siouan groups would merge to form the Lumbee, who still exist in the state to this day . </P>

When was north carolina founded as a colony