The History of Indigenous Peoples in America

The History of Indigenous Peoples in America

Native American is the term used for the indigenous peoples of North America who first migrated to this area thousands of years ago. The term Native American actually includes several tribes, states, and ethnic groups some of which are still recognized in today’s modern society. Most of the scientific world agrees that the first indigenous peoples crossed the Bering Straight by way of Siberia about 12,000 years ago.

The precise route that the first immigrants traveled on is still under a matter of controversy. Some academics believed that the peoples traveled near the coast on foot following game which they needed to hunt in order to survive. Others believe these “Native Americans” could have been sea-faring individuals. While some still think they pushed slowly through the central regions of Canada at the pace that the ice from the ice age evaporated. The way in which the first inhabitants arrived here is in dispute today more than ever. By examining the mystery of the Bering Straight Land Bridge, The history and religion of some key Native American Tribes and the theories of prominent modern day scientists I hope to shed some light of the mystery of the origins of the first peoples of America.

The Bering Straight Land Bride or BERINGIA is believed to be a strip of permafrost that connected Alaska to Asia around 40,000 years ago and as late as 12,000 years ago. “For decades this debate has centered on what can commonly be called the Clovis versus the pre-Clovis controversy. Succinctly put, this debate states that the earliest known inhabitants of the Americas came out of Africa, with a migratory path through China, on through Northeast Siberia, across Beringia (i.e. the Beri...

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...d of last ice age:

(1) overland, through ice-free corridor;

(2) coast-wise from northern Pacific;

(3) trans-ocean from southern Pacific;

(4) coast-wise from northern Europe.

In Conclusion the migration of indigenous peoples to America is still today a subject of ongoing debate. New evidence is found yearly that helps to support a new theory and denounce old beliefs held from years in the scientific community. The actual path of native Americans to the Americas may never be agreed upon totally but through continued research and study we can continue to learn more about these humble beginnings of Western Civilization.

Bibliography

1.) Http://uwec.edu

2.) www.infoplease.co,

3.) www.absoluteastronomy.com

4.) www.hoopermuseum.com

5.) www.encyclopedia.com

6.) Alternative Routes of Migration to America by Earles

7.) www.college.hmco.com