The First Americans

1. The First Americans Sec 4.1

2. Archaeologists

3. Archaeologists • Are scientists that use the remains of materials and humans to study past peoples. • They look for “artifacts” which are tools, weapons, and other objects.

4. Some items they have found: • Rock art • Pictures on cave walls • Bones • Arrow heads

5. Paleo-Indians • The first people to live in North America were thought to have come from Asia sometime between 38,000 and 10,000 B.C. on the land bridge known as Beringia. • This bridge appeared after the Ice Age between Asia and Alaska. • They entered Texas about 12,000 years ago.

6. Paleo-Indianswere hunter-gatherers

7. Native Americans • When the Ice Age ended about 8000 B.C, the climate became warmer. Because of this, the tall grasses got shorter and they began to hunt for smaller animals. • They used spear throwers called atlatl along with axes, knives, and scrapers made from bone, antlers, and shells.

8. Weapons for hunting

9. Mesoamerica • Farming began here first around 7000 years ago. This region is present day Mexico and northern Central America. • Maize (type of corn) was the most important crop grown. Beans and squash were also grown.

10. Mesoamerica

11. Development of Societies • Farming provided a stable source of food, so it allowed people to remain in one place • Populations grew and societies developed • People began specializing in work such as priests, artists, and soldiers in Native American groups.

12. Early Civilizations • Many civilizations developed around Texas (Oklahoma, Mississippi, New Mexico, Alabama, Georgia). • Even though no large civilizations developed in Texas, it was home to many different Native Americans. They developed due to environment (farming, fishing, hunting)

13. 4 General Culture Areas in Texas • The Western Gulf • The Southeastern • The Pueblo • The Plains