First AmericansFirst Americans

• BeringiaBeringia

• Scientists believe that Native Americans Scientists believe that Native Americans migrated from Asia.migrated from Asia.

• They crossed a land bridge over the They crossed a land bridge over the modern-day Bering Strait more than modern-day Bering Strait more than 12,000 years ago during the Ice Age.12,000 years ago during the Ice Age.

MesoamericaMesoamerica

• Maya Maya (250 – 900 AD)(250 – 900 AD)

• The only Pre-Columbian civilization to have a The only Pre-Columbian civilization to have a written language.written language.

• Created a sophisticated calendar using Created a sophisticated calendar using advanced mathematical & astronomical skills.advanced mathematical & astronomical skills.

• Created a pictograph language.Created a pictograph language.

MesoamericaMesoamerica

• Aztecs Aztecs (1100 – 1521)(1100 – 1521)

• Located at modern-day Central Mexico.Located at modern-day Central Mexico.• Built capital city of Built capital city of Tenochtitlan Tenochtitlan on series of on series of

swamps.swamps.• Montezuma was King. Montezuma was King. • Very warlike people.Very warlike people.• Used prisoners to sacrifice to their sun god.Used prisoners to sacrifice to their sun god.

MesoamericaMesoamerica

• Inca Inca (1200 – 1533)(1200 – 1533)

• Located at modern-day Peru, South America.Located at modern-day Peru, South America.• 11stst Ancient Native American civilization to create Ancient Native American civilization to create

a record keeping process. (a record keeping process. (Quipus)Quipus)• Built more than 10,000 miles of stone roads.Built more than 10,000 miles of stone roads.• Cusco was capital city.Cusco was capital city.• Quechua was official language, still spoken Quechua was official language, still spoken

today.today.

Early North AmericanEarly North American

• Eastern WoodlandEastern Woodland

• The major language was the Iroquois.The major language was the Iroquois.

• Used Used slash-and-burn agriculture.slash-and-burn agriculture.

• Families lived in Families lived in wigwams.wigwams.

• Area tribes of the East formed the Iroquois Area tribes of the East formed the Iroquois League.League.

Early North AmericanEarly North American

• Southeastern TribesSoutheastern Tribes

• These tribes were farmers.These tribes were farmers.

• Women were farmers and men were Women were farmers and men were hunters.hunters.

• These tribes were These tribes were Matriarchal. Matriarchal.

• Lived in Long-Houses.Lived in Long-Houses.

Early North AmericanEarly North American

• Plains TribesPlains Tribes

• Located from the Rocky Mountains to the Located from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River.Mississippi River.

• Followed the buffalo – Used for food, Followed the buffalo – Used for food, clothing, shelter and tools.clothing, shelter and tools.

• Nomadic – Used the teepee Nomadic – Used the teepee (1(1stst Mobile Mobile Home)Home)