Thousands of years ago, North America was uninhabited Thousands of years ago, North America was uninhabited. When did the first people get here? Use the evidence from your archaeological dig to figure out when humans arrived in America.

Archaeological site in Washington: How old is the oldest artifact you found? What does this tell us about when humans arrived in America?

Archaeological site in Clovis, New Mexico: How old is the oldest artifact you found? What does this tell us about when humans arrived in America?

Archaeological site in Cactus Hill, Virginia: How old is the oldest artifact you found? What does this tell us about when humans arrived in America?

Clovis Culture: 13,000 Years Ago In 1933, archaeologists in New Mexico uncovered artifacts that were around 13,000 years old—the oldest found in the Americas. They called the people who left them the Clovis People, believing them to be the first Americans. What happened to this theory when older artifacts are found?

Agenda: Video: How and when did the first humans come to America? Go over video questions Return tests!

WHEN and HOW did the first Americans arrive in North America? Answer the questions as we watch the video! http://iceage.pwnet.org/index.php

Explain one theory of how people originally came to the Americas. What is the major difference between the Beringia Theory and the Solutrean Hypothesis? What is one animal that co-existed with early people in America? How many years ago is the Clovis period? What is the main artifact from the Clovis period? Where is Cactus Hill? (Be Specific!) What does the discovery of Cactus Hill dispute (argue against)? Why is Cactus Hill significant?

Clovis Point: 13,000-12,900 Years Ago

Cactus Hill: 18,000-20,000 Years Ago

What is one animal that lived with early people in America?

What is the Beringia Theory?

What is the main artifact of the Clovis Period?

Where is Cactus Hill located?

Why is Cactus Hill significant?

Map Game!

Test Corrections: If your grade is a C or below, you made do test corrections to raise your grade. For each question you got wrong, write the question and answer in a complete sentence. You will receive half credit for each question you correct.