2. Introduction to Beringia
• Many scientists and archaeologists believe
thousands of years ago, when the seas were
locked up in glaciers, a land bridge existed
connecting present day Russia and Alaska. This
land bridge is referred to as Beringia. Because
most rain and snow fell in the Alaskan range
before reaching Beringia, the weather was
generally mild and plants and animals
flourished there. Human beings followed the
herds of game like Wholly Mammoth which
they hunted for fur and meat. Because huge
glaciers blocked their way south, game and
human beings existed together on this bridge of
land for centuries.
3. • Because of the ice, some scientists believe this
group of people were isolated from their
ancestors’ populations in Asia for at least 5,000
years. Then, after the ice melted, they moved
south to populate the Americas. Many scientists
agree that this occurred sometime after 13,000
years ago as the American glaciers, blocking the
way southward, melted.
• Is it possible these early explorers traveled in
some other way than walking?
4. The Task
• Imagine you’ve gone on summer vacation, with
your family, to Alaska. While there you visit the
Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. Hiking
the trails along the Chukchi Sea you discover an
artifact .
5. You’re tempted to keep it, but you decide to take it to the ranger
station. The ranger notices your interest in ancient history and offers
you a summer job with an archeology crew working on a study of
Beringia. You’re fascinated and stay after your family returns home.
Your job is to:
• Draw 3 of the artifacts found in Beringia and to include the name
and description on each one.
• Next write a short paper about the theories related to First
Americans; so be sure to keep notes as you do your research.
• Then you’ll create a mural with your fellow researchers. This mural
will show 3-5 animals from 12,000 years ago grazing on the
Beringia tundra. The animals will be described on the back of your
mural piece.
6. Click these photos to find out more
about Beringia.
Use this link for
information about
the animals of
Beringia.
7. The Process
Before you can begin you must learn about methods
archeologists use in understanding artifacts. Click the
link below. Read and remember the methods
archaeologists use when determining how an artifact
might have been used. Then move on to the Artifact
Challenge. Read each question and examine the artifact.
Ask yourself the questions an archeologist might ask.
Be sure to guess what the mystery artifact might be.
Support your answer with WHY. Record this information
in your notebook.
8. Process
• Sketch 3 artifacts. Note if they are made of bone (tusk), wood, or
skin and describe their use.
• Recreate these artifacts in clay. Use white clay for the bone or tusk
& brown/yellow for wood.
• Label the artifacts with their descriptions.
• Keep 2 column notes on the information that will be included in your
report. Use the Inductive Vocabulary Sort to make sure you are
including the required vocabulary and write an essay describing
Beringia and the theories regarding the First American people. Use
the Six Traits rubric to score your essay. Remember others will be
reading your essay; be sure to add details and write clearly.
• Create a piece for the mural. Include descriptions of the animals
you’ve researched.
9. OTHER THEORIES-
Ice Free Corridor & Coastal Route
CONNECT TO THE LINK BELOW TO LOOK AT 2
OTHER THEORIES ABOUT THE ARRIVAL OF
HUMAN BEINGS IN AMERICA AND CONTINUE
YOUR RESEARCH.
http://
news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/11/1106_031106_fir
news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/11/1106_031106_fi
10. Most Native cultures have origin stories.
Often these stories involve human beings
being placed on Earth by their Creator (or
God).
Rather than a group moving, or immigrating
to an area, they believe they have always
existed on that spot.
Check the following link for Origin Stories
http://www.indigenouspeople.net/legend.htm
11. This website includes some
interesting research and maps.
http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_hi
story/tutor/firstnations/theories.ht
ml
12. This site includes an interesting
article about in Monte Verde, Chili
where artifacts are thought to be
approximately 12,500 years old.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpsrv/inatl/ame
13. Here is a link to a site that describes points
found on the channel islands off of
California.
http://uonews.uoregon.edu/archive/news-releas
14. Another Theory
Some scientists believe some Americans arrived on the
east coast thousands of years before what was once
believed.
Here is a link from the History Channel describing another
way the First American People may have come to this
country.
http://www.history.com/videos/early-humans-survive-the-ice-age#prehistoric-h
This link also has films about theories related to early
climate change and human survival.
15. Follow this link for directions to create the
whole class mural.
16. Here is a link to several other activities related to the study
of Beringia. This is also where you will find the silhouettes
for the Beringia class mural. They begin on page 10. I will
have copies available in class.
