21/05/2024
The first settlement of America (before -30,000)
World Historical Atlas p.22, ⓒ L'Histoire-Les Arenes-Legendes Cartographie (https://www.lhistoire.fr/atlas)
👉 The map illustrates the hypothesized migration routes and archaeological sites associated with the early human settlement of the Americas before 30,000 years ago. It highlights the primary migration path through Beringia, a land bridge that once connected Siberia and Alaska during periods of lower sea levels. This route facilitated the movement of the first humans from Asia into North America, as indicated by the red lines representing these early migration paths.
Key archaeological sites are marked across the Americas, showcasing the spread of human populations. Sites such as Old Crow (21,000 years ago) and Bluefish Caves (16,000 years ago) in the Yukon, Canada, provide some of the earliest evidence of human presence in North America. Further south, sites like Meadowcroft Rockshelter in Pennsylvania and Cactus Hill in Virginia indicate pre-Clovis human activity dating back over 15,000 years. In South America, significant sites such as Monte Verde in Chile (9,500 years ago) suggest early human settlement much earlier than traditionally thought.
The map also depicts the extent of glaciers around 9,000 years ago, highlighting areas that were covered by ice and the accessible pathways for early humans. This glacial information, combined with the archaeological sites and migration routes, provides a comprehensive overview of the early peopling of the Americas. It underscores the complexity and diversity of ancient human migration, challenging previous timelines and demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of early human populations in exploring and settling new environments.
👉 Read more about the native American civilisations: https://www.thearchaeologist.org/central-america
