The First North Americans Arrival Theories

Arrival Theories Bering Land Bridge/Clovis Theory Pacific Coastal Route Theory Pacific Crossing Theory Atlantic Crossing Theory

Bering Land Bridge / Clovis Theory Migrants from NE Asia arrived in NA during the last Ice Age via the Bering Land Bridge Discovered a passage in the glaciers & eventually moved south from Alaska to inhabit the Americas Big Game hunters Clovis, New Mexico 13,500 year old -spear points

Clovis People

Pacific Coastal Route Theory Explorers from SE Asia may have travelled the Pacific coast in small boats Coast was more exposed due to glaciation Eventually populated both North & South America Monte Verde, Chile remains of a 14,500 year old campsite have been discovered

Pacific Crossing Theory peoples of the SW Pacific may have travelled east eventually reaching South America 13,500 year old skull in Brazil bears similarities to early Australian aborigines No solid evidence; highly unlikely

Atlantic Crossing Theory Proponents suggest that people from the Iberian Peninsula traveled across the Atlantic in boats following the edge of receding glaciers Solutrean Technology from Spain and France 16,000 - 24, 000 yrs ago Cactus Hill, Va & Topper, S.C

Homework Questions What is the most important source of evidence for early human beings in the Americas? Why is this type of evidence difficult to use to draw conclusions? Where do most scientists think the first peoples to reach the Americas came from? Where is the oldest site of human habitation found in the Americas? Which theory does this support and why? Which evidence would support the Atlantic Crossing Theory? Explain. Which evidence challenges the Clovis Theory? Based on the evidence presented, which theory do you think is most likely? Explain your reasoning. How can archaeological evidence teach us about culture?