Ancient Americans

Section 1.1

Main Idea

• People arrived on the American continents thousands of years ago and developed flourishing societies.

North America

• 1st Americans – Crossed over the Bering Strait over 8,000

years ago– Migrated during Ice Age– Spread all throughout North America, South

America, and Caribbean – Nomads: moved form place to place.

Agricultural Revolution

• 10,000 to 4,000 BCE• Humans began developing systematic

agriculture• Domestication of animals for food and

labor• Cultivation of wild crops• Why would this change human life?

Answer

• Humans had limited control over their environment.

• Humans could abandon their nomadic lifestyle.

• Communities could develop.• A stable food supply = larger population

• More free time to create and think

Cultures of Mesoamerica

The ancient civilizations of the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec developed sophisticated societies long before European contact.

Each developed written language and complex social structures.

Located in Mexico and Central America, their respective empires covered much land.

All 3 civilizations created huge pyramids that still stand today.

Inca

• Dominated South America before European arrival.

• Excellent engineers (created roads and cities).

• Largest of all pre-Columbian Indian groups.

Incan City

Mound Builders

• Developed agriculture• Created hug earthen mounds for tombs• Lived from the great lakes to the Gulf of

Mexico (Eastern US)• Also known as the Hopewell or

Mississippian people

Serpent Mound

Mounds

Anasazi

• Southwest US (desert)• Dug long canals to irrigate fields• Lived in pueblos, could be several stories

high• Like most American Indians they farmed

corn, beans, and squash.

Pueblo