Thousands of years ago, North America was uninhabited. When did the first people get here? You are an archaeologist digging in a location where there are known Native American artifacts. 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?

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.

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?

Today’s Question: When and how did the first humans come to America?

Agenda: 1.Video: How and when did the first humans come to America? 2.Go over video questions 3.Create visual explaining when and how first humans arrived

WHEN and HOW did the first Americans arrive in North America? Answer the questions as we watch the video!

How do we measure time? 1.Before the year zero, after the year zero 2.How many years before today?

1.Explain one theory of how people originally came to the Americas. 2.What is the major difference between the Beringia Theory and the Solutrean Hypothesis? 3.What is one animal that co-existed with early people in America? 4.How many years ago is the Clovis period? 5.What is the main artifact from the Clovis period? 6.Where is Cactus Hill? (Be Specific!) 7.What does the discovery of Cactus Hill dispute (argue against)? 8.Why is Cactus Hill significant?

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

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

On page 17 of your notebook: Tell the story of how humans first came to America in a hand drawn visual. Your visual should include colored pictures or symbols and labels describing HOW and WHEN the first humans came to America. Include EVIDENCE archaeologists have found to support their theories.

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!