9.19.1The Earliest AmericansThe Earliest Americans

A Land BridgeA Land Bridge

The American ContinentsThe American Continents• American continents of North America American continents of North America

and South America stretch 9,000 milesand South America stretch 9,000 miles• The First Americans come from Asia The First Americans come from Asia

over Beringia—a land bridge.over Beringia—a land bridge.

A Land BridgeA Land Bridge

Peopling of AmericasPeopling of Americas• During Ice Ages glaciers extend over During Ice Ages glaciers extend over

much of North America.much of North America.• Sea levels drop; a land corridor is Sea levels drop; a land corridor is

created between Asia and Alaskacreated between Asia and Alaska• First Americans arrive in the last Ice First Americans arrive in the last Ice

Age, 1.9 million to 10,000 B.C.Age, 1.9 million to 10,000 B.C.• Siberian hunters follow animals from Siberian hunters follow animals from

Asia to AmericasAsia to Americas

A Land BridgeA Land Bridge

Peopling the Americas (continued)Peopling the Americas (continued)• Date of the first crossing might be from Date of the first crossing might be from

40,000 to 10,000 B.C.40,000 to 10,000 B.C.• Recent findings suggest it happened Recent findings suggest it happened

earlier than previously thought.earlier than previously thought.• Most experts believe first Americans Most experts believe first Americans

used land bridgeused land bridge• Other believe people came by boat.Other believe people came by boat.

Hunters and GatherersHunters and Gatherers

Chief PreyChief Prey• The mammoth is the largest prey of The mammoth is the largest prey of

early Americans.early Americans.• The mammoth provides materials for The mammoth provides materials for

food, clothing, shelter, tools.food, clothing, shelter, tools.

Hunters and GatherersHunters and Gatherers

Following the GameFollowing the Game• Hunters turn to smaller animals when Hunters turn to smaller animals when

mammoths die out.mammoths die out.• People also fish and gather plants and People also fish and gather plants and

fruitsfruits• At the end of the last Ice Age, glaciers At the end of the last Ice Age, glaciers

melt and seas cover the land bridge.melt and seas cover the land bridge.• By 10,000-12,000 years ago, people had By 10,000-12,000 years ago, people had

spread across the Americasspread across the Americas

SpearheadsSpearheads

Spearheads similar to these were first discovered near Clovis, New Mexico, and later throughout North America. Many of these artifacts date back to around 9500 B.C.

Analyzing ArtifactsAnalyzing ArtifactsAbout 6000 B.C.Other points, buried beneath a layer of volcanic ash, are the oldest of all. They are about 8,000 years old. The ash arrived in the Calgary area about 6,300 years ago when Mount Mazama exploded. Deposits beneath this ash are older than the eruption. The bones above are the remains of a young bison butchered at the site.

About 2500 B.C.The McKean style points are in the middle range. They are about 4,500 years old.

About A.D. 1The Pelican Lake style points arethe youngest or most recent.They are about 2,000 years old.

Agriculture Creates a New Way of LifeAgriculture Creates a New Way of Life

The Development of FarmingThe Development of Farming• Around 7,000 B.C., people in Mexico Around 7,000 B.C., people in Mexico

begin to raise crops from seeds.begin to raise crops from seeds.• By 3400 B.C., maize—corn—becomes By 3400 B.C., maize—corn—becomes

the staple crop there.the staple crop there.• People in the Tehuacan Valley develop People in the Tehuacan Valley develop

advanced farming methodsadvanced farming methods• Agriculture spreads throughout Agriculture spreads throughout

AmericasAmericas

Agriculture Creates a New Way of LifeAgriculture Creates a New Way of Life

Farming Brings Great ChangeFarming Brings Great Change• Agriculture increases food supply, and Agriculture increases food supply, and

leads to population growth.leads to population growth.• Larger communities develop.Larger communities develop.

There are specialized skills in the arts.There are specialized skills in the arts. Trade develops.Trade develops.