The American Nation A History of the United States, Combined Volume (14th Edition)

7

Overland

Coastal

NORTH
AMERICA

SOUTH

AMERICA

MEXICO

Folsom

N.M.

12,000 BP

Monte Verde

CHILE

14,000 BP

Clovis

N.M.

13,000 BP

Meadowcroft

PA.

16,000 BP Cactus Hill

VA.

17,000 BP

Taima-Taima

VENEZUELA

15,000 BP

Topper

S.C.

17,000 BP

A n d e

s M o u n t a i n s

Paleo-Indian bones along the Pacific coast were from a differ-

ent population pool of Paleo-Indian bones found in the

Midwest and the eastern United States. The chief problem

with the theory—the relative absence of much evidence of

early human habitation—is explained by the fact that these

earliest Americans would have traveled along coastal routes

that were subsequently flooded as global warming raised

the level of the Pacific Ocean.

Questions for Discussion

■This map shows two possible routes from Asia through

the Americas. Were there other ways Asians might have

come to the Americas? What geographical barriers

would they have had to overcome? Might ancient

Asians have made their way to the Americas by boats?