Native Americans

The development of a people

Migration

People migrated from current day Russia to Alaska and the rest of North America

Traveled over the Beringia, the wide bridge of land between Asia and North America

People followed the animals who migrated for food because the climate and natural resources were changing

Adaptation

As the climate changed, food sources (mammals) died out.

Became hunter-gatherers:Catching smaller animals, fishing more and collecting edible plants and seeds

As people found new food sources, they found use for other natural resources also

Adaptation

Adaptation

Using Natural Resources

Native Americans used the natural resources for food, clothing and shelter.Far north:

Used animal skins for warm, hooded clothingMade goggles out of bone with slits in them to block sun glare Built houses with driftwood and animal skinsBuilt igloos out of blocks of snow (temporary)

Using Natural Resources

Using Natural Resources

In the warmer climates:Gathered wild plants for food

Raised crops like corn

These crops enabled them to stay in one place

Beginnings of first villages and towns

Shared Beliefs

No matter where they were located, all Native American’s had similar beliefs:

Respected and worshipped nature

Did not believe that land could be owned as private property

Did not waste anything taken from nature