MIGRATION TO AMERICAS
Megafauna (BIG ANIMALS) like
the Mammoth and Giant Sloth
are now extinct
THEORY 1: Land bridge theory
-the Last Glacial Maximum of the Wisconsin glacial
period occurred approximately 20,000-18,000 years
ago.
-Extremely cold weather; Ice sheets formed, sea levels
dropped worldwide.
-because the ice sheets were formed the sea levels
dropped and some lands were exposed. The Land
bridge referred to as BERINGIA was exposed and
connected Siberia to North America.
- the Paleo-Indians were following their food and they
crossed the Bridge from Siberia into North America. The
bridge had a lot plants that is food for the Megafauna.
THEORY 2: Coastal Route
- that people first reached the Americas via water travel;
- Following coastlines from northeast Asia into the
Americas (PACIFIC MODEL)
- Coastlines (OF THE BERINGEA) provided humans
with access to a diverse array of plants and animals
from both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Paleo-Indian period 15000-7000 BC
- Asiatic origins and migrated to the Americas in pursuit
of the large animals (megafauna) that they relied on
for food and survival. They were the first inhabitants of
America.
- the basis of life was hunting and gathering
- What did they hunt? Paleo-Indians hunted for huge
mammals called MEGAFAUNA (most are now extinct)
- They followed herds of animals and hunted in groups,
because of the danger the men hunted and the women
gathered fruits
- With what did they kill the animals? They used the
CLOVIS point which is an arrow point. They made tools
out of bone, wood, shell and stone.
- Nomadic (moved from place to place) lifestyle because
they were hunter-gatherers
- Their society: Paleo-Indian camps were small ones,
consisting of bands or groups of 20-50 people of both
sexes and all ages. Band organization was egalitarian,
meaning there were no formal leaders and no social
status or classes.
- In Belize evidence found at: 1960’s two bones were
found in Cayo of Giant sloths (extinct) . Ladyville in the
1980’s a farmer found the first fluted projectile point
(LOWE). In Toledo a similar point was found. In Bullet
Tree; mastodon bones were found
Comparing the changes that occurred
Paleo-Indians period
Archaic Period
Dependency on Megafauna
Dependency on small
animals and plants
Nomadic lifestyle
Clovis Point tools
Small bands
Sedentary (settled) lifestyle
Lowe Point tools
Large bands
Inuit peoples in North America still use
traditional hunting and gathering techniques
Agriculture and Domestication in MESOAMERICA
Archaic period- 7000 - 3000BC
- In 7000 BC severe climatic changes occurred the weather became warmer and wetter, glaciers
in the north melted, this caused environmental changes=death of the megafauna.
- The environmental changes were such that if affected the life of the animals living in America
and they went into extinction.
- Because the large animals were not there anymore it impacted the life of the humans; the
humans began to rely on plants and hunting small animals; that is the reason this period has a
different name!
- Plants they domesticated: Squash, peppers, avocado, chilli, amaranth (callaloo), Manioc
(cassava) and early forms of corn.
Tools: Large stone bowls and pestles, smaller and wider projectile points (referred in Belize as
LOWE POINTS).
- Focusing on Agriculture lead to a change from Nomadic lifestyle (Paleo indian period) to
sedentary life (settling). Also a shift from small bands to large bands settlements.
In Belize Archaic evidence found at:
Pulltrouser swamps +
Colha (stone tool factory),
Orange Walk District
Key Words and Terms:
Paleo Indian, Archaic, Clovis, Lowe, Sedentary,
Nomadic, Bering, Mastodon, Inuit, Colha,
Pulltrouser, Last Glacial Maximum, Siberia,
Megafauna
Early forms of corn domesticated
during the Archaic period