Paleo Indians

The Paleo Indians were the first inhabitants of the Americas at the end of the Pleistocene Period (Paleolithic age in archaeology). The few human remains discovered date as far back as 13,000 years BP. The prefix "paleo" come from the Greek word palaios meaning ancient. It is believed that the Paleo Indians came to the Americas from Asia.

The Paleo Indians where believed to be nomadic hunters and gatherers. Paleo Indians hunted large animals like bears, bison and caribou and also smaller animals like the arctic fox and rabbit. When hunting, Paleo Indians used both wooden, long spears and shorter spears. It is believe that Paleo Indians traveled in small groups of 25 to 50.

1. Also called Paleo Americans
2. Dating is used to establish ancient timelines
3. Followed animal migration
4. Didn't inhabit the whole continent
5. Archaeological evidence suggests trades among the different bands

1. Monte Verde
2. Fell’s Cave
3. Blackwater Draw

1. Buhl Woman
2. Kennewick Man
3. Wizard's Beach Man
4. Arlington Springs Woman

The current view of the Paleoindian period envisions bands of hunters entering the North American continent around 17,000 years ago (15,000 rcbp) by crossing a land bridge that connected eastern Siberia with Alaska. The land bridge was created during the Late Pleistocene by continent-sized glaciers, which, when created, drew water from the oceans' lowering sea levels by some 120 meters. It would appear that these same glaciers prevented these immigrants from expanding into the rest of the North American continent until about 16,000 years ago (14,000 rcbp). — Southeast Archaeological Center

• • All dates in BP (Before Present). In this case, "present" refers to the year 1950.
• 33,000 - 12,500 BP: Models of Migration to the New World
• 30,000 - 13,500 BP: Ice Age Migrations Beringia
• 13,000 BC (14,950 BP): Timeline of Ohio's Prehistoric People
• 13,000 - 11,000 BP: Arlington Springs Woman California
• 12,500 BP: Monte Verde, Chile
• 12,000 - 9,500 BP: Clovis Culture
• 10,000 - 9,500 BP: Horn Shelter Texas
• 9,415 BP: Spirit Cave Man Nevada
• 9,200 BP: Kennewick Man Washington
• 8,500 BP: Paleoindians era ends (Utah)

• Wikipedia: Before Present

• Wikipedia: Common Era

• New Scientist: Forum: Half-living in the past - A bone to pick with archaeologists (November 17, 1990)

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