Section 4 Path to the Americas

The Earliest Americans  A land bridge, Beringia, once connected Asia and North America Where did they come from?

Russia /Asia

x x x x x x Atlantic Ocean Inca North America South America Maya Olmec Pacific Ocean Aztec

During last Ice Age a wide land mass was exposed because glaciers covered much of the earth Glacier – great masses of ice Glaciers held so much water that ocean depths were 300 feet less than they are today Last Ice Age ended around 7,000 B.C. During last Ice Age a wide land mass was exposed because glaciers covered much of the earth Glacier – great masses of ice Glaciers held so much water that ocean depths were 300 feet less than they are today Last Ice Age ended around 7,000 B.C.

When did they come? Stone spearheads found near Folsom and Clovis, New Mexico date to 11,500 years ago

Clovis, New Mexico Folsom, New Mexico

Mammoth bones that may have been killed by humans have been found in Canada dating 15,500 years ago

Animal bones and objects that may have been tools have been found in Brazil dating 17,000 years ago

Folsom and Clovis, New Mexico - 11,500 years ago x x x Canada – 15,500 years ago Brazil – 17,000 years ago x

Why did they come? In search of food, they followed grazing animals and wild plants Earliest Americans were hunter-gatherers In search of food, they followed grazing animals and wild plants Earliest Americans were hunter-gatherers

Early American Societies Were hunter-gatherers Moved southward in search of food Because of diversity of regions each group of people had to learn different skills to survive Were hunter-gatherers Moved southward in search of food Because of diversity of regions each group of people had to learn different skills to survive

Farming 7,000 B.C. – 6,000 B.C. 6,000 B.C. – people in Tehuacan Valley south of Mexico City developed farming (hot, wet climate) 7,000 B.C. – 6,000 B.C. 6,000 B.C. – people in Tehuacan Valley south of Mexico City developed farming (hot, wet climate)

Maize was the most important crop 3,000 – 1,000 B.C.: weaving, pottery making, and irrigation systems developed in some areas Maize was the most important crop 3,000 – 1,000 B.C.: weaving, pottery making, and irrigation systems developed in some areas

Mesoamerican civilization develops!