The First Americans The first Americans needed to adapt to their environment in order to survive. The cultures developed by these first Americans reflected the environments in which they lived.

I. Human Migration to the Americas Widely believed that the first Americans arrived during the last ice age (15,000-30,000 years ago) Glaciers locked up water from oceans and caused sea levels to fall; therefore, land that had been under water was uncovered A land bridge (called Beringia) joining Siberia in Asia to Alaska in North America was revealed Scientists believe that the first Americans followed the herds of animals that they hunted across this land bridge from Asia into North America The continual search for better hunting grounds led these early Americans across North America, Central America, and South America

Studying the First Americans Archaeologists study artifacts to learn about past cultures Types of artifacts can include weapons, tools, pottery, tombstones, baskets, and bones By studying artifacts, archaeologists can learn much about the people who made them After examining artifacts, archaeologists form theories about past cultures (entire way of life that a people has developed)

North American Culture Areas A culture area is a region in which people share a similar way of life There were 10 major culture areas in North America Within each culture area there were many different tribes (group of villages that share common customs, languages, and rituals) The people living in these culture areas needed to adapt to their environment to survive Examples of North American culture areas were the Arctic, Southwest, Great Plains, and Eastern Woodlands

A. The Arctic Very cold, snowy, treeless, icy plains Native Americans, like the Inuits, used their limited resources to survive Collected driftwood to make tools and shelter Built igloos out of snow and ice Paddled kayaks into the sea to hunt for seals, whales and walruses or moved inland and hunted caribou or fished Religious beliefs reflected their close ties to the natural world. They believed each animal had a spirit and they offered gifts to animals they wished to catch and sang songs of thanks after successful hunts.

B. The Southwest Hot, dry desert Early cultures like the Anasazis and Hohokams developed vast irrigation systems in order to farm Used stone and adobe to build large, multi-storied houses that could shelter hundreds of families Descendents of the Anasazis (the Pueblos) also built adobe houses and farmed Religious beliefs of the Pueblos often reflected the importance of farming; held ceremonies to ensure rainfall and good crops Pueblos traced their family lines through their mothers, Pueblo wives owned most of the family property, and after marrying, a man went to live with his wife’s family

C. The Great Plains Vast grasslands that stretched from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River People made their homes of sod, or built tepees using the hides of buffalo Women used animal bones to make hoes which they used for farming corn, beans, squash and sunflowers Men hunted animals, including buffalo, antelope, deer, elk, and bighorn sheep During the 1700s, they began to tame wild horses that had been introduced to North America by Europeans during the 1500s Each village had a ruling council that included the best hunters

D. The Eastern Woodlands Included the Northeastern part of present-day U.S. (from Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi River) and eastern parts of present-day Canada Many trees, lakes, and rivers Forested region had an abundance of plant and animal resources Native Americans used trees to build longhouses or wigwams Fished, hunted, and farmed for food This culture area was home to two powerful groups of Native Americans: the Iroquois and Algonquins

Quiz Questions Where did the first Americans come from, how did they arrive in the Americas, and why did they travel here? How do archaeologists learn about the past, and what are three types of artifacts that they study? Why did many different cultures develop in North America? Explain two ways the Inuits adapted to their environment. Explain two ways the Pueblos adapted to their environment. How does geography affect how and where people live?