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62,000 BCE
Bow and Arrow
The discovery of the bow and arrow is believed to have occurred around 64,000 years ago. This technological advancement revolutionized hunting and warfare, allowing for greater accuracy and range in projectile weapons. The bow and arrow consist of a flexible bowstring attached to two limbs, which are bent and released to propel an arrow forward. This invention greatly improved human hunting efficiency and played a significant role in shaping human civilization. -
35,000 BCE
Mortar and Pestle
Mortars/pestles were commonly used by Native American tribes for grinding various food items, such as corn, squash, and nuts, to create a paste or dough. These tools were typically made from a hard, durable material, such as stone or wood, and were designed to be used with a hammer or another tool to create a rough, textured surface.
They were often used with other cooking tools, and used for other tasks, such as crushing medicines or creating paints. -
Period: 25,000 BCE to 12,000 BCE
Three Theories of Peopling: Pacific Coastal, Beringia, and N. Atlantic (Solutrean Hypothesis).
North Atlantic (Solutrean hypothesis): This theory suggests that the first Americans crossed the North Atlantic from Europe to North America around 25000 BCE. Beringia theory: This theory proposes that the first Americans crossed the Bering land bridge, which connected Siberia to Alaska, around 20000-12000 BCE. Pacific coastal theory: This theory suggests that the first Americans crossed the Bering Strait from Siberia to Alaska around 13000 BCE. -
21,000 BCE
Archaeological Evidence
Traditional knowledge and Western science offer multiple lines of evidence about the first people to populate North America. Archeological and genetic evidence show that people have been here for at least 23,000 years and as long as 30,000 years, underscoring American Indians' oral history that their ancestors lived on these lands from time immemorial. Archeology and indigenous knowledge show that humans arrived by land and sea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp6fRNiLBiE -
Period: 17,000 BCE to 13,000 BCE
Ice Age
The Native American Ice Age is a term used to describe a period in the history of North America when many indigenous people, including those of the Plains, Woodlands, and Eastern Woodlands cultures, experienced a significant decrease in population and cultural disruption as a result of climate change and other environmental factors. -
15,000 BCE
Atlatl
The atlatl, also known as a spear-thrower, was discovered by early humans thousands of years ago. It is a tool used to increase the speed and distance of a thrown spear. The atlatl consists of a handle or grip with a hook or spur at one end, which holds the spear in place. By using leverage, the atlatl allows the thrower to propel the spear with greater force and accuracy. This discovery revolutionized hunting and warfare techniques for ancient civilizations. -
Period: 15,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE
Paleo-Indian Pre-Clovis, Pre-Clovis, Archaic
It is the earliest period in the archaeological record in the Americas when the first people entered the Americas from Asia, dated from 15,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE.
The Paleo-Indian period is characterized by the use of stone tools and the manufacturing of spear points, they were hunters and gatherers, traveled by foot, used fire to hunt and cook food, and used stone tools to butcher animals and prepare hides. -
Period: 9000 BCE to 7000 BCE
Bison Hunting
The Native Americans were the first people to domesticate and utilise the American bison, also known as the buffalo, for food, clothing, and other uses. They hunted the bison in a variety of ways, including driving them off cliffs, surrounding them in a circle and beating them with clubs, and using bows and arrows. -
7000 BCE
Kennewick Controversey
Kennewick Controversy: The Kennewick Man controversy refers to a legal and scientific dispute surrounding the skeletal remains of a prehistoric man found in Kennewick, Washington in 1996. The controversy primarily revolves around the question of the ancestry and cultural affiliation of the remains. -
7000 BCE
CBS
Native American tribes, particularly those in the Northeast and Midwest regions, practiced a traditional agricultural technique known as the Three Sisters. This technique involved growing corn, beans, and squash together in a mutually beneficial manner. This maximized the use of space, as the three crops grew together in the same area, it enhanced soil fertility, as the beans replenished nitrogen levels and provided a balanced diet. -
Native American DNA
Native American DNA evidence has provided valuable insights into the genetic history and ancestry of indigenous populations in the Americas. Through the analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome DNA, scientists have been able to trace the migration patterns and genetic relationships of Native American populations. -
Linguistic Evidence
Native American linguistic evidence refers to the study of the languages spoken by Native American communities across the United States and Canada. This field of study has revealed a significant amount of linguistic diversity, with many Native American languages showing unique features that are not found in other languages. -
Kill Sites
Native American kill sites refer to locations where Native Americans historically hunted and killed animals for sustenance, resources, or ceremonial purposes. These sites are important archaeological and historical sites that provide insights into Native American hunting practices, cultural traditions, and resource utilization.