History(1-2) Beringia & Early Native Americans

Standstill hypothesis

Humans paused and developed in Beringia during the Ice Age before spreading into the Americas (icy land bridge connecting Alaska and Russia/Asia)

Pleistocene Epoch

Ice Age era marked by cycles of extreme cold and warmer periods. (sea levels dropped, land bridge appeared, allowed for migration)

Why Homo sapiens outlasted other hominids

Not because they were stronger but better communicators, socially cooperative, adaptable to changing environment, passed knowledge down generations. Culture over biology.

Megafauna Extinction (most likely cause)

Large animals like mammoths disappeared due to combined causes like human overhunting, rapid climate warming, unable to quickly adapt. “Perfect storm extinction”

Natives Land Ownership

Land was communal, not owned. You used it but not possessed it. Europeans thought land=property=wealth=power

Corn (Maize)

Most important crop in the Americas- Supported population growth, allowed cities to develop, foundation of native cities. Corn= economic backbone of pre-Columbian America

Cahokia Significance

Near Mississippi river, giving trade access across North America, fertile farmland, transportation networks, it was the nyc of its town.

Role of Mississippi River

Functioned as a trade highway, cultural exchange route, political connector. Goods from thousands of miles away reached Cahokia

What role did Cahokia Play?

Political capital, religious center, trade hub (Largest city north of Mexico)

Mound 72

Burial mound showing human religious sacrifices (lot of young girls), seen as a honor, done publicly for religious and social unity

Ancient Puebloans (Southwest)

Cliff Palace- Largest at Mesa Verde. (Built cliffs for defense, advanced engineering and planning, protected from enemies and environments, trade networks, farming, etc)