U.S. History Pre-Columbus

Last major glacial period lasted between

115,000 - 14,000 years ago

Glaciers covered __% of the Earth’s landmass.

25

50,000 years ago Humans (Homo Sapiens)

migrated from Africa & their populations spread

into Asian and Europe over time. Between ______

– ______ years ago Humans began migrating

toward North America

20,000 - 15,000

The Earth began to warm 20,000 to 12,000 years

ago marking the beginning to the most recent inter-

glacial period. Glaciers

slowly began to melt and receded

The Holocene Period

A) Overland Routes from Asia and Europe. The Bering Land Bridge theory claims

people migrated over that land route from Asia around 20,000 years ago.

B) It is thought that people used watercraft to follow Coastal Routes keeping within

sight of the shoreline & Glaciers.

C) It is theorized that a Pacific Ocean route using watercraft brought people to the

Americas, much like Australia, New Zealand, & Pacific islands were inhabited.

D) Creation stories & religious explanations. All cultures & religions have creation stories. Many Native American cultures believe their people came from the Northwest or that they were always in North America.

Theories of how people first came to America

Also known as the ___________, it lasted between 15,000-8,000 BCE (Before Common Era)

Paleo-Indian Period

Paleo-Indian Period was characterized by ______ & ________

a cold climate & mega-fauna

Mega-fauna

Large animals

Radio carbon dating reads carbon ____ to know an objects age

Decay

Linden Meyer site was founded in

1924 CE

Many Paleolithic artifacts are left in the ground as when exposed to _______ they rapidly decay

air

The Archaic Period

8000-1500 BCE

The Archaic Period is characterized by a warming _____ and loss of _____-_____. Glaciers

were gone and animals were smaller.

climate & mega-fauna

Archaic Indians developed a more sophisticated toolkit which now included woodworking tools like axes & adzes. Also fishing tools like _____ and _____.

Hooks & sinkers

Archaic social organizations become more sophisticated. Territories established, ethnic identities form,

_______ are created, burial grounds and ceremonial sites appear. Warfare occurs.

Religions

➢ Territorial Boundaries

➢ Personal / Political Revenge

➢ Economic Reasons / Resources

➢ Love / Jealousy

➢ Religion / World View

➢ Ceremonial

➢ Political / Civil / Revolutionary Reasons

specific to that society

➢ Defense against foreign aggression.

➢ Miscommunication

Major Causes of Conflict or War

The Post-Archaic Period

1500 BCE – 1700 CE

____/____ was developed in central

Mexico and spread throughout the

continent. By around 1,000 BCE corn was

adopted by most people in North America.

Corn/Maize

Corn was grown with _____ and

_______ to maximize agricultural

productivity. Together they were known as

the “Three Sisters.”

Squash & Beans

Post-Archaic Indians developed ______ _____ for cooking and processing foods.

ceramic pottery

Large, centralized urban areas developed in the ________ valley region while smaller village

structures took root in the Northeast. All of which was due to agriculture.

Mississippi