Archaeological and Aboriginal perspectivesTextbook: Pages 18-20

Theories of First Peoples’ OriginsThere are two views regarding the origins

of First Peoples in North America

Archaeological perspective: First Peoples arrived from somewhere else

Aboriginal perspective: First Peoples were always there

Archaelogical PerspectiveThe archaeological perspective consists of

3 different theories as to how the First Peoples came to North America

Land RoutePacific RouteAtlantic Route

The Land Route TheoryThis theory states that

during the last Ice Age, seawaters were so low that a land bridge spanned the 90km distance between Alaska and Siberia. This vast, grassy plain was called Beringia. The first peoples came across this land bridge chasing big game animals such as bison, caribou and mammoths.

The Pacific Route TheoryThis theory states that the first peoples

crossed the Pacific Ocean by watercraft from Polynesia and Australia. Fossil evidence of sea and land mammals suggests that there were enough natural resources at that time for coastal people to survive.

The Atlantic Route TheoryThis theory states that

people came from Southern Europe by navigating small watercraft, or walking on the borders of glaciers. Genetic markers have shown similarities in DNA between Aboriginals and Europeans – similarities not found between Aboriginals and Asians.

First Nations’ TheoryFirst Nations’ beliefs, supported by

legends and oral histories, state that these people were always here. These creation stories are told differently, according to different aboriginal traditions, but they share the same idea: that this is aboriginals’ homeland.

Summary about First Peoples’ OriginsTwo perspectives:

Archaeological vs. Aboriginal

ArchaeologicalLand RoutePacific RouteAtlantic Route

AboriginalAlways here; creation stories