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

Converging Cultures

Chapter 1

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

Early Native Early Native American CultureAmerican Culture

BeforeBefore ContactContact

Where did they come from?

The first settlers The first settlers may have crossed may have crossed the Bering Strait- the Bering Strait- BeringiaBeringia

Probably hunters Probably hunters in search of gamein search of game

14,000 to 10,500 B.C Oldest 14,000 to 10,500 B.C Oldest discovery- Oregon, 14,300 yearsdiscovery- Oregon, 14,300 years

Where did they come from?

More recent research-More recent research-

Traveled by boat, not on Traveled by boat, not on footfoot

Traveled along coast to Traveled along coast to Southern Chile- Mount Southern Chile- Mount VerdeVerde

Settled various points Settled various points along the wayalong the way

Most probable explanationMost probable explanation

Other Theories of Migration

Bering strait- Bering strait- 40,000 years ago40,000 years ago

Not likely before 13,000 B.C. as Not likely before 13,000 B.C. as there is limited data to support claimthere is limited data to support claim

From South Pacific by shipFrom South Pacific by ship

Again little data- Polynesians?Again little data- Polynesians?

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

Early Civilizations

Agricultural Revolution about 9,000 years ago Allows development of civilization Began in Mesoamerica (Middle)

Pumpkin, squash, beans, peppers, maize (corn)

Mesoamerican Cultures

Olmec and Maya

Mayan Temple

Obsidian

Mesoamerican Cultures Toltec and AztecToltec temple and stautes

Aztec Temples

North American Cultures

Hohokam

Irrigation

Canals

North American Cultures

Anasazi (Ancient Ones)

Pueblos

North American Cultures

Adena and Hopewell

Hopewell Pottery

Adena Serpent Burial Mound

North American Cultures

Mississippian Culture-

Moundville, Al

Cahokia’s flat top pyramids

Turn to page 17

Please complete question 6, the Graphic Organizer. Include:

Olmec, Maya, Toltec, Aztec, Hohokam, Anasazi, Adena, Hopewell, and Mississippian Cultures.