Beringia
Vocabulary
1) artifact--an object made by humans, such as a tool
The term Beringia refers to the 1,000-mile long landmass
that
connected Asia and
America
2) archaeology--the
studyNorth
of historic
and 10,000-25,000
prehistoric
years ago. Duringpeople
this time, glaciers up to two miles thick
covered large parts of North America, Europe and Asia.
3) paleontology--the
study
of early life byIce
looking
The
period was called
the Pleistocene
Age. at
Some
fossils
very dry areas were
ice-free during this time. Much of the
Earth's water was locked up in the glaciers. Because of
4) prehistoric--a
periodsignificantly,
of time before
this
sea level dropped
upwritten
to 300orfeet! Some
recorded
history
areas that are now under
water
became dry land. The
result was an intermittent land bridge stretching between
5) fossil--the remains, impression, imprint or bone of
the two continents
under the present day Bering and
a living thing
Chukchi Seas. Scientists believe that Beringia was at its
widest
point about
15,000
years
called a
6) extinct--a
species
that has
diedago.
out, Although
no longer in
"bridge," the land
was really a broad, grassy plain, which
existence
many animals stopped to feed on.
7) Pleistocene-- 2 million to 10,000 years ago
Beringia
The term Beringia refers to the 1,000-mile long landmass
10,000
to 25,000Asia
years
ago,
during
the period
known as the
that connected
and
North
America
10,000-25,000
Pleistocene
Age,this
glaciers
to two miles
covered
large
years ago. Ice
During
time,up
glaciers
up to thick
two miles
thick
parts
of North
and Asia Europe
and much
of Asia.
the earth's
covered
largeAmerica,
parts ofEurope,
North America,
and
water
was locked
in the
The sea
The period
was up
called
theglaciers.
Pleistocene
Icelevel
Age.dropped
Some
significantly - up to 300 feet - and some areas that are now under
very dry areas were ice-free during this time. Much of the
water became dry land. The result was a land bridge connecting
Earth's water was locked up in the glaciers. Because of
the continents of Asia and North America in the present day
this sea
level
dropped
significantly,
upBering
to 300and
feet!
Some
Bering
Strait
area
and extending
into the
Chukchi
areas that are now under water became dry land. The
seas.
result was an intermittent land bridge stretching between
the bridge
two continents
the present
andtwo
The
formed a under
flat, grassy
treelessday
plainBering
between
Chukchi Seas.
Scientists
believemiles
that Beringia
at its
continents
stretching
one thousand
from northwas
to south.
widest point about 15,000 years ago. Although called a
"bridge," the land was really a broad, grassy plain, which
many animals stopped to feed on.
Early Occupants
With the emergence of the land bridge, early
migration of animals and humans could have
been made completely by land instead of water.
Scientists are not positively sure how long ago
the migration took place, but they believe
between 10,000 and 25,000 years ago. This
slow migration over thousands of years is
what is believed to be responsible for the
population of plants, animals and people to
North and South America.
Ma p
"As one of the world's great ancient
crossroads, Beringia may hold solutions to
puzzles about who were the first people to
populate North America, how and when
they traveled, and how they survived
under such harsh climatic conditions."
of B
e ri n
gia
Beringia
The term Beringia refers to the 1,000-mile long landmass
that connected Asia and North America 10,000-25,000
years ago. During this time, glaciers up to two miles thick
covered large parts of North America, Europe and Asia.
The period was called the Pleistocene Ice Age. Some
Thedrymigration
to during this time. Much of the
very
areas were ice-free
Earth's
locked up in the glaciers. Because of
Northwater
andwas
South
this sea level dropped significantly, up to 300 feet! Some
America
areas
that are now under water became dry land. The
result was an intermittent land bridge stretching between
the two continents under the present day Bering and
Chukchi Seas. Scientists believe that Beringia was at its
widest point about 15,000 years ago. Although called a
"bridge," the land was really a broad, grassy plain, which
many animals stopped to feed on.
Animals such as wolves, bears, lions, woolly
mammoths, bison, caribou, horses and antelope
wandered and fed on the plain. Hunting groups
followed game animals through the ice-free
lowland areas not realizing they crossed over to a
new continent. Without the presence of the land
bridge these areas may not have been inhabited
until much later. Over time, the massive ice sheets
melted slowly raising water levels, covering up the
shallow ocean floor.
Evidence of the Existence of the
Land Bridge
What evidence exists?
Example 1: Similarities between the peoples of Siberia
and Alaska
--similar language
--shared spiritual practices
--similar hunting tools
--methods of food preservation
Archaeological Sites
Evidence of the Existence of the
Land Bridge
Evidence #2: Similarities of some plant species in
Siberia and Alaska in the vicinity of the land bridge.
Because of the large numbers of similar species, scientists
hypothesize that the seeds of these plants could not have
been disbursed by the wind and birds alone.
Evidence #3: Fossil evidence that large land animals
like the woolly mammoth, could not have simply swam
across the Bering Sea. The distance is too long for most
land mammals. A land bridge had to be in existence in
order for so many of the same species to be present in such
large numbers on both continents.
Short-Faced Bear
Jefferson's Ground Sloth
Jefferson's Ground Sloth
The Land Bridge Today
Today, the continents of Asia and North America
are separated at their closest points, by a 55-mile
stretch of water called the Bering Strait. The Bering
Strait connects the Bering Sea to the south with the
Chukchi Sea to the north.
The Land Bridge Today
Today, the continents of Asia and North America
are separated at their closest points, by a 55-mile
stretch of water called the Bering Strait. The Bering
Strait connects the Bering Sea to the south with the
Chukchi Sea to the north.
Resources:
http://www.nps.gov/akso/beringia/beringia/index.cfm
http://www.beringia.com/index.html