Life in the Western Hemisphere Chapter 1- Lesson 1 Life in the Western Hemisphere

Moving into the Americas Ice Age- period in which low temperatures caused large areas of earth’s water to freeze.

Moving into the Americas Bering Strait- a narrow stretch of water that separates Asia from North America. During the Ice Age this area became shallower and land that had been underwater was uncovered. This are formed a land bridge that linked Asia and North America.

Moving into the Americas One theory is that large animals began to cross this bridge from Asia. As a result, hunters followed these animals migrating into the Americas.

Question: Why did people migrate to North America? Possibly to look for food or a better way of life.

Ways of Life Life was very difficult at first for the earliest people Life centered around getting food People lived in small bands, or groups, and moved with the food.

Ways of Life Early people used animals for more than food. Stripped animal hides were used for clothing Hides were stretched over wood frames to make shelters. Tools like needles and scrappers were made from animal tusks and bones

Ways of Life Early people used stones to make tools. Spear points Knives axes

Ways of Life The earliest people left no written record of how they lives. Archeologists have drawn conclusions about early life from artifacts they have discovered.

Definitions Artifact- an object that someone made in the past, such as stone tools. Archeologists- people who study artifacts of people who lived a long time ago and draw conclusions from them.

Changing Way of Life The Earth’s climate began to get warmer and the glaciers melted. Large Ice Age animals that could not adapt began to become extinct. One theory is that the hunters killed many of them off causing their extinction. Americans were forced to find another food source!

Changing Way of Life Smaller animals were still hunted. People began to gather berries and other plants that grew in the wild. These people became known as hunter-gatherers

Early Farms The earliest farms began in present day Mexico. Agriculture made it possible for people to finally settle in one place.