1. Who were the first Americans and how did they get here?

2. Converging Cultures
Chapter 1

3. Impact of Converging Cultures
Our food
Contact between cultures profoundly changed the society of each
Our society contains elements of Native American, African, and European influence

4. Before Contact
Early Native American Culture

5. Where did they come from?
The first settlers may have crossed the Bering Strait Beringia
Probably hunters in search of game
14,000 to 10,500 B.C Oldest discovery- Oregon, 14,300 years

6. Where did they come from?
More recent research-
Traveled by boat, not on foot
Traveled along coast to Southern Chile- Mount Verde
Settled various points along the way
Most probable explanation

7. Other Theories of Migration
Bering strait- 40,000 years ago
Not likely before 13,000 B.C. as there is limited data to support claim
From South Pacific by ship
Again little data- Polynesians?

8. Where’s the Proof? Proving the Land Bridge
Radiocarbon Data- Measures radioactivity of Carbon 14
Ice Age- Water levels do drop
Nomadic people travel after game
Wooly Mammoth

10. Early Civilizations Agricultural Revolution about 9,000 years ago
Allows development of civilization
Began in Mesoamerica (Middle)
Pumpkin, squash, beans, peppers, maize (corn)

11. Mesoamerican Cultures
Olmec and Maya
Mayan Temple
Obsidian

12. Mesoamerican Cultures
Toltec and Aztec
Toltec temple and stautes
Aztec Temples

13. North American Cultures
Hohokam
Irrigation
Canals

14. North American Cultures
Anasazi (Ancient Ones)
Pueblos

15. North American Cultures
Adena and Hopewell
Hopewell Pottery
Adena Serpent Burial Mound

16. North American Cultures
Mississippian Culture-
Moundville, Al
Cahokia’s flat top pyramids

17. Turn to page 17
Please complete question 6, the Graphic Organizer. Include:
Olmec, Maya, Toltec, Aztec, Hohokam, Anasazi, Adena, Hopewell, and Mississippian Cultures.