small groups of hunter-gatherers called paleo-indians moved through what would later become peoria. spear points found in peoria date from 10,000–8,000 bc and show there was hunting activity here. about 1500 bc, there was farming here which indicates that semi-nomadic peoples used the area. from about 1–500 ad the peoples here settled into two areas. there were crops being raised here in the peoria area during the spring and summer. at other times they lived in the upland areas where they gathered seeds, cholla, and cactus fruits.