The First Americans

1. The First Americans Brenda Davis June 2008

2. The Americas were already populated in 1492 when Columbus arrived. Since he thought he was in India, he called the natives “Indians”. There are three main theories for where the Native Americans originated.

3. The Land Bridge Theory Some scientists believe the first Americans arrived between 12,000 and 40,000 years ago from Asia. It was during the Ice Age and the water levels in the oceans had dropped. When the ocean levels dropped, a land bridge appeared between Asia and what is now Alaska. The theory suggests that ancient hunters from Asia followed herds of mammoths and other large animals into the Americas. The land bridge is now covered by a body of water called the Bering Strait. Scientists have named the land bridge “Berengia” after the strait. Evidence that supports this theory includes and ancient campsite in modern-day Pennsylvania that has artifacts dated between 14,000 and 19,000 years old. There is also geological and fossil evidence from the Ice Age that supports the Land Bridge Theory.

4. The Ancient Sailors Theory Another theory of the origin of the First Americans is that they used ocean going boats to cross the Pacific Ocean. The evidence used to support this theory can be found in California and Peru. In California, scientists found fossils that show people lived there 13,000 years ago. The fossils in Peru are 12,000 years old and show evidence that the people there ate foods that could only be found in deep ocean waters. This supports the idea that they may have had boats that could navigate into deep water.

5. The Origin Theory A third theory of the origin of the First Americans is that they were always here. Many Native American tribes have passed down creation stories that explain they were created in the Americas. Evidence that is offered for the Origin Theory is that none of the tribes of Native Americans have memories of another land.

6. What Do You Think? Which of the three theories seems most believable to you? On your paper, write a paragraph summarizing the theory you believe and explain why you believe it.

7. Ancient American Peoples The First Americans were nomads, people who followed their food sources and lived off the land. Eventually, the large animals they hunted died off and they began to farm and form communities around their farms. These communities developed into complex civilizations with cities, government, religion and education. The oldest civilizations in the Americas were the Olmecs, the Mound Builders, the Anasazi and the Mayans.

8. The Olmecs 1500B.C. – 300 A.D. The Olmec civilization developed along the gulf coast of southern Mexico. They developed a calendar, a number system and picture writing. The Olmecs shared their developments with other groups and became known as the “mother civilization”. The Olmecs planted beans, squash, sweet potatoes and corn in the fertile soil of the riverbanks. They also ate fish, turtles, crabs and mollusks. The Olmecs left behind giant heads carved of stone. The one pictured above is almost 9 feet tall.

9. The Olmecs - continued The Olmecs were the first Americans to build pyramids and elaborate cities. They are also credited with inventing a ball game played on a court that was copied by many other American civilizations. Use the map below to color in the Olmec territory on your map. Then complete the Olmec row of your chart. Ancient ball court.

10. Mound Builders 1000B.C. – 1500 A.D. The Mound Builders, sometimes called the Mississippian Indians, flourished in the Mississippi River Valley and surrounding areas for almost 2500 years. They are named for the giant earthen mounds they built for homes, religion and burying their dead. The Mound Builders were hunter-gatherers whose diet mostly consisted of fish, forest animals, sunflowers and other local plants. Farming increased greatly once corn was introduced to the culture. Monks Mound – Constructed by the Mound Builders about 2,000 years ago in what is now the state of Illinois. It is 100 feet high and 955 feet long.

11. Mound Builders- continued The mounds were a technological wonder, constructed by carrying large baskets of clay, dirt and sand to the construction site. Many of them took several hundred years to build. The Mound Builders were also skilled at making clay pots and stone arrowheads. Use the map below to color in the Mound Builder territory on your map. Then add their information to your chart. Mississippian Arrowheads and Clay Pot

12. Anasazi 100 B.C. – 1300 A.D. The Anasazi are considered to be the ancestors of the Pueblo Indians in the southwestern part of the United States. They are most famous for building apartment-like multi-story buildings on the side of cliffs called pueblos. Historians believe that the Anasazi built their dwellings during times of heavier rainfall and then moved on to build in a different area when the drought returned. They were able to grow some crops, including corn and beans. They also ate cactus and hunted deer, rabbits and prairie dogs. Mesa Verde – Anasazi Cliff Palace in modern-day Arizona.

13. Anasazi - continued In addition to the pueblos, the Anasazi made pottery with elaborate designs that they used to store food and water. They also traded the pottery with neighboring tribes. Use the map below to color in the Anasazi territory on your map. Then add their information to your chart. Anasazi Pottery

14. Mayans 300 A.D. – 900 A.D. Mayan culture was heavily influenced by the Olmecs. Building on the inventions of their predecessors, the Mayans made great advances in art, architecture, astronomy and mathematics. They also had one of the first fully-developed written languages. The Mayan culture thrived on what is now the Yucatan Peninsula. Mayans made great advances in farming, including terrace farms and elaborate methods of irrigation. They raised corn, beans, squash and peppers to eat. They also hunted deer, monkeys, turtles, and wild pigs. Mayan Ruins in modern-day Mexico.

15. Mayans - continued One of the greatest Mayan accomplishments was the development of a calendar that they could use to accurately predict seasons, as well as astronomical events. Use the map below to color in the Mayan territory on your map. Then add their information to your chart. Mayan Calendar Mayan Alphabet

16. Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.indiana.edu/~arch/saa/matrix/naa/naa_web/images/SSW_Culture_Areas_Anas.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.indiana.edu/~arch/saa/matrix/naa/naa_web/mod15D.html&h=1140&w=925&sz=170&tbnid=wumJgmxYqX2PTM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=122&prev=/images%3Fq%3Danasazi%2Bmap&hl=en&usg=__wO-_Fqz0IplHOyCn_Rm9WEEsqzI=&sa=X&ei=1noeTIjlC4OglAeF9JTqAg&ved=0CCUQ9QEwBA http://www.cliffdwellingsmuseum.com/A2_1.htm http://cuyahogafallshistory.com/mound_builders.htm