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35,000 BCE
The First People in America!
Humans, who were then nomadic hunter-gatherers, moved from place to place looking for wild plants and food to eat, which doing so led them to following animal migrations. During the Ice Age, a bridge opened up between Siberia and Alaska known as Beringia, letting humans through. -
10,500 BCE
Ice Age Ends
The Last Glacial Period ends, thus cutting off migrations into the Americas. -
Period: 1200 BCE to 400 BCE
Olmec
The first Mesoamerican civilization, being off the coast of Mexico. They are known for their stone heads, sculptures, and pyramids. Disappeared around 400 BC for unknown reasons. -
Period: 300 BCE to 900
Mayans
Developed in the Mesoamerican rainforest, they were a theocracy (government with priests in charge); they worshipped the stars. They made the 365-day calendar, a large trade network and canals. Also, their ball game. -
Period: 1100 to 1521
Aztecs
They conquered Central Mexico with a population of around six million. They founded their capital, Tenochtitlan, in Lake Texcoco in 1325. Their religion had a thing for human sacrifice. -
Period: 1100 to 1533
Inca
They started in the Andes and soon founded their capital Cuzco. They had a population of about 12 million and spoke Quechua. They made terrace farming and quipu, knotted strings used for record-keeping. They also made Machu Picchu.