APUSH History Period 1 - 1491-1607

AP US History Period 1 - 1491-1607

Clovis People

Clovis People

The Clovis People were ancient Native Americans known for their unique stone tools, especially the Clovis point spearhead. They lived about 13,000 years ago in North America and are linked to big-game hunting. Their culture is important for studying early human migration to the continent.

Olmec People

The Olmec civilization thrived in Mesoamerica from 1400 to 400 BCE, mainly in present-day Mexico, and is considered the "mother culture" of later civilizations like the Maya and Aztec. They are famous for their colossal stone heads, jade carvings, and early writing and calendar systems. Their society featured complex social structures, trade networks, and religious practices.

Meso-Americans

Meso-Americans are the indigenous peoples from central Mexico to northern Central America, encompassing civilizations like the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec. They are recognized for advanced agriculture, complex societies, monumental architecture, and rich traditions in art, writing, and astronomy, significantly influencing the history of the Americas.

Tenochtitlan

Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in Lake Texcoco in present-day Mexico City. Founded in 1325, it became a major political, economic, and cultural center. The city was known for its impressive architecture, including temples and palaces, and was home to a large population before its fall to Spanish conquistadors in 1521.

Cahokia People

Cahokia was a pre-Columbian Native American city near present-day St. Louis, Missouri, part of the Mississippian culture known for large earthen mounds, complex societies, and extensive trade networks. Thriving from 600 to 1400 CE, it features significant archaeological sites, including Monk's Mound, the largest earthen structure in the Americas.