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The history of Collier County dates back thousands of years, with the Paleo-Indians being the area's first residents. These hunter-gatherers thrived during the Pleistocene period, utilizing their hunting skills to pursue large game, including woolly mammoths. Over time, as these animals became extinct, the Paleo-Indians began to adapt by settling near river mouths and exploiting marine resources.
Their descendants, the Colusa people, established a sophisticated society that included permanent settlements, public works, and a strong culture that flourished for approximately four millennia. The Colusa relied on fishing, hunting, and gathering native plants for sustenance and inhabited areas that are now modern landmarks within Collier County.