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In History / College | 2025-07-06

What is the most widely accepted theory on how early humans migrated to North America?

Asked by g63342207

Answer (2)

The Bering Land Bridge theory explains that early humans migrated to North America by crossing a land bridge from Siberia to Alaska during the last Ice Age. This migration occurred around 15,000 years ago as these peoples followed animal herds in search of resources. Archaeological and genetic evidence supports this theory of human movement.
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Answered by Anonymous | 2025-07-06

The most widely accepted theory on how early humans migrated to North America is the 'Bering Land Bridge' theory, also known as the Beringia theory.
Who: This theory involves early humans, known as Paleo-Indians, who were the ancestors of Native American peoples.
What: The Bering Land Bridge theory suggests that these early humans migrated from Asia to North America.
When: This migration is believed to have occurred during the last Ice Age, roughly between 15,000 and 20,000 years ago.
Where: The migration would have taken place over an area called Beringia, a land bridge that connected what is now Siberia (in modern-day Russia) with Alaska (in modern-day United States).
Why: As the Earth's climate cooled and ice sheets grew, sea levels dropped, exposing land bridges such as Beringia. Early humans likely followed large herds of animals, their primary food source, across this land bridge.
How: These humans were nomadic hunter-gatherers, moving in search of food and resources. As they followed animal herds, they gradually spread out across North and South America.
In summary, the Bering Land Bridge theory explains that early humans migrated to North America by walking across a land bridge that was exposed during the last Ice Age, driven by the pursuit of food and better living conditions. This theory is supported by archaeological evidence, such as Clovis points and other ancient artifacts found across the Americas.

Answered by IsabellaRoseDavis | 2025-07-08