The Migration To AmericaThe Bering Strait

How do we know where the first peopleto migrate to America came from?

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) basicbuilding material for all life on Earth

Radiocarbon Dating radioactivityin carbon 14 measured(half-life 5,730 years)skullsbonesteeth

From DNA, scientists have concluded that the earliest Americans probably came from Asia.

100,000 years ago Ice Age glaciersand large icebergs - ocean levels dropped

Much of the Earths water was heldin glaciers such as these.

Glacier National ParkMontana

Glacier Bay National Park - Alaska

Beringia area of dry landthat connected Asia with North America

Named after Vitus Bering,18th century explorer of the region

Nomads chased animals such as the wooly mammoth across the land bridge.

Satellite image of the Bering Strait createdwhen rising seawater submerged the land bridge about 10,000 years ago

Little Diomede Island (U.S.)Big Diomede Island (Russia)

Would a Bering Strait Bridge be possible?

Civilizations of Mesoamericameso Greek for middlesouthern Mexico & Central Americaagricultural revolution (9 to 10 thousand years ago) plant and raise crops

Most important crop was maize, known today as cornHow was it used?

Agriculture people abandoned nomadic way of lifepermanent villagesnew technology (tools)potterygovernment

Civilizations emerge organized society; trade, government, arts, science,and written languageMayan ruins in Belize

I. The Olmecfirst to build a civilization in America (1500-1200 B.C.)near present day Veracruz, Mexico

Sculpted monuments including 8-foot high heads weighing up to 20 tons

Possibly modeled after notable citizens including leaders

30 miles NE of Mexico Citycity built near volcano, obsidian (tools and weapons)300 B.C. to 650inhabitants unknown

II. TeotihuacnAvenue of the Dead and Pyramid of the Sun

Pyramid of the Moon - Teotihuacn

Sacrificial victims Teotihuacn museum

III. The MayaEmerged in the Yucatan Peninsula in 200

Engineering and mathematicsCalendars linked to the position of the stars

December 21, 2012 - according to the ancient Maya, this date will mark the end of one world as we know it and the beginning of another

In regards to the ever-increasing attention on the December 21, 2012 date, the living Maya of Guatemala urgently want it to be known that their ancient prophecies have been distorted and misinterpreted as doomsday predictions. They do not advocate all the fear and hysteria that is being generated by the sensationalized 2012 rumors, and they want people to be aware that most of the 2012 misinformation being put out is not sourced from the Maya or their calendars whatsoever, even though it may appear to be associated with them.

Mayan city of TikalPresent-dayGuatemala

Chichen Itza inpresent-day Mexico

How were these builtthat long ago?

IV. The Tolteccentral Mexicoamong first Native Americans to use gold and copper forjewelry

Tula, the Toltec city, is best known today for its fearsome 15-foot-high stone warrior figures.

Tula fell around 1200 to invaders known as the Chichimec.

V. The Aztecsone group of Chichimec, the Mexica, established Tenochtitlan in 1325Mexica took the name Aztec, name of original homeland Aztlan, SWsacrificed people they conquered

Aztec ruins in Mexico City

North American Cultures

I. The Hohokamyear 300, Arizonairrigation canalsHohokam petroglyphs

Remains of a prehistoric Hohokam irrigation canal at "Park of the Canals in Mesa, Arizona

Hohokam cliff dwelling

Casa Grande (Great House) Ruins National Monument overlook fromwhich the Hohokam could observe the status of their canals

II. The Anasazibetween 700 and 900, Four Cornersancient ones

Chaco Canyon, NW New Mexicobuildings of adobe called kivasSpanish called these pueblos, Spanish word for villages

Pueblo Bonito 3 acres, 600 rooms housing 1,000 people

cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde

III. The Adenaeastern woodlands, woodworking tools, canoes1000 B.C., started burying dead under earthen moundsGreat Serpent Mound in southern Ohio

Grave Creek Mound Archaeology Complex

IV. The HopewellOhio Valleygeometric earthworksceremonial centers, observatories, burial places

V. Mississippianbuilt the city of Cahokia (Illinois)peak was 1050 to 125016,000 people (40,000 in the regionlarger than London!)droughts and overpopulationdownfall?

Cahokia

Cahokia Mound

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