Pre-Columbian Cultures in North America Objective: Identify the importance of pre-Columbian cultures in North America Pre-Columbian Cultures in North America

Beringia Land Bridge Located between modern Russia and Alaska Objective: Identify the importance of pre-Columbian cultures in North America Beringia Land Bridge Located between modern Russia and Alaska Formed by the rising level of sea ice Land was exposed during last Ice Age 22,000 to 17,000 years ago

Objective: Identify the importance of pre-Columbian cultures in North America Movement of Humans Around 20,000 years ago humans began to migrate across the land bridge There were several stages of migration where humans arrived and left the Americas

Objective: Identify the importance of pre-Columbian cultures in North America DNA Support In 2007 research showed DNA links that provided support for the migration theory Scientists are continually working to find evidence to prove the theory

Civilizations in Meso-America Objective: Identify the importance of pre-Columbian cultures in North America Civilizations in Meso-America Meso-America – present day Mexico and Central America. Agricultural Revolution – people learned to farm and began to develop societies with complex government and social systems.

Objective: Identify the importance of pre-Columbian cultures in North America The Olmec and the Maya The may have been the 1st people to create a civilization in the Americas Located in present-day Mexico The Olmec built large villages, pyramids, and large monuments

After the Olmec fall, the Mayan civilization developed Also in Mexico Objective: Identify the importance of pre-Columbian cultures in North America After the Olmec fall, the Mayan civilization developed Also in Mexico The Mayans had a very sophisticated culture.

Why was the year 2012 so important to the Mayans? Objective: Identify the importance of pre-Columbian cultures in North America They developed an accurate calendar, a system of writing, mathematics, engineering and were interested in astronomy. Why was the year 2012 so important to the Mayans? The Mayans often warred with each other and eventually disappeared.

Objective: Identify the importance of pre-Columbian cultures in North America The Aztec The Aztec created a huge empire with great military power and strength They often went to war, taking over other villages and people The Aztec would be present in Mexico when the Spanish arrived in the 1500s

Read and Write As part of your notes turn to pg. 6 in your book Objective: Identify the importance of pre-Columbian cultures in North America Read and Write As part of your notes turn to pg. 6 in your book Read through pages 6-11 and identify the importance of the sections in Red