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Paleo-Indians first enter North America by crossing the Bering Land Bridge (Beringia) from Siberia into Alaska. This migration is believed to have occurred in waves, with some groups possibly using coastal routes along the Pacific Rim to move southward. -
The Paleo-Indian period marks the earliest human presence in the Americas, lasting from approximately 15,000 BCE to 8,000 BCE. This era falls within the late Pleistocene Epoch and is defined by Ice Age environments, glacial coverage in the north, and the presence of now-extinct megafauna.
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Human populations spread rapidly across North America and begin moving into Central and South America. Archaeological sites such as Monte Verde in Chile provide evidence of early human settlement far to the south by around 14,500 BCE. -
Paleo Indians lived in small, highly mobile bands of hunter gatherers. They moved frequently in search of food and seasonal resources. They adapted to a range of environments from tundra and plains to forests depending on where they migrated. Their diets were heavily based on hunting large Ice Age animals like mammoths, mastodons, and giant bison, as well as gathering wild plants, seeds, and nuts. The climate was cold and dry,and their shelters were temporary, such as tents made of animal hid -
The Clovis culture emerges across much of North America. This group is known for its fluted projectile points — Clovis points — which were expertly crafted from stone and attached to spears for hunting large animals. These tools represent one of the earliest widespread and recognizable technologies in the Americas. -
The Clovis culture dominates much of the North American archaeological record. Their tools are found from the Great Plains to the American Southeast, suggesting wide migration and shared knowledge systems.
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Post-Clovis cultures like Folsom, Dalton, and other regional groups begin to emerge. These cultures reflect adaptations to new climates, changing landscapes, and the disappearance of large prey. Cultural diversity increases as communities become more localized. -
Paleo-Indian society was typically egalitarian, with little to no formal hierarchy. Roles were likely divided based on age, skill, and possibly gender, with men often hunting and women gathering and managing camps. Decisions were likely made communally, and survival required cooperation among group members. Family and kinship groups were central to survival, and social networks may have existed across long distances, allowing for the exchange of tools, materials, and information. -
Following the extinction of megafauna, Paleo-Indians develop more region-specific tools, such as the Folsom point, which is smaller and used to hunt bison. Toolkits become increasingly specialized depending on geography, including scrapers, knives, and fishing implements. -
As the climate warms and Ice Age glaciers retreat, ecosystems shift. The extinction of megafauna forces major changes in lifestyle. People begin relying more on smaller animals, fishing, and gathering. Some groups begin experimenting with planting wild crops and settling near rivers or resource-rich areas.