Paleo-Indians

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Paleo-Indians were the ancient peoples of America who were present at the end of the last Ice Age. The prefix "paleo" comes from the Greek palaios meaning ancient, and refers to the Upper Paleolithic time period. The best known of these peoples were part of the Clovis culture, which some archaeological literature has used as a synonym; however, evidence of several pre-Clovis Paleo-Indian cultures also exists.

Paleo-Indians are believed to be the first people to have inhabited a large number of areas in the Americas, though there is now some doubt as to whether they were the first inhabitants of the continent as a whole. The current prevailing theory postulates that Paleo-Indians entered the Americas from Asia via a theoretical land bridge (see also Beringia) connecting eastern Siberia with present-day Alaska when sea levels were significantly lower because of widespread glaciation between about 15,000 to 35,000 years ago. However, evidence suggestive of even earlier human occupation in South America has generated an alternative theory that Paleo-Indians, or at least some groups of them, may have come from the Pacific Islands or mainland Asia by boat.

Paleo-Indians are believed to have been nomadic hunter-gatherers whose following of animal migrations dictated where they camped. As the glaciers that covered much of North America receded in the warming climate following the most recent glacial maximum, tundra foliage was the main plant-growth. Paleo-Indians living in the tundra hunted both large mammals like prehistoric bear, bison, and caribou, as well as smaller mammals like hare and arctic fox. However, Paleo-Indians also lived in the taiga, forested steppe, semi-arid temperate woodlands, and other ecozones. The Paleo-Indians are known to have hunted with both fluted stone-pointed wooden lancing spears and shorter spears that they would throw using an atlatl; they probably also foraged for edible plants.

Paleo-Indians likely traveled in small groups of approximately 20 or 50 members of an extended family. Archaeological evidence of particular kinds of fluted-stone have been uncovered, suggesting trade occurred between such groups.

Archaic stage Indians of the Americas are believed to be direct descendants of Paleo-Indians.