During the last ice age around 20,000 to 30,000 years ago, the first people crossed into North America over a land bridge where the Bering Strait is located today, following animal herds and living as hunters and gatherers. By 10,000 BCE these early peoples had reached the continental United States and relied on hunting elk, deer and bison as well as gathering plants for food. Beginning 5,000-3,000 BCE, some groups began domesticating crops like corn, squash and beans and transitioned to farming in addition to their hunter-gatherer practices.

1. From many: One
How did we get here?

3.  People from the Asian Continent crossed the
Bering Strait around 20,000 to 30,000 years
ago

4.  During the last ICE AGE, portions of the ocean
froze, which made the Bering Strait a land
bridge for people to cross

5.  The first people to arrive on the North
American continent here HUNTERS and
GATHERERS, who usually followed animal
herds as they migrated. Historians believe
these people crossed the Bering Strait
following an animal herd.

6.  By around 10,000 BCE, these ancient people
reached the United States. They relied heavily
on hunting elk, deer, and bison for meat.
 They also lived on gathering plants, roots,
and seeds for food.

9.  By around 5,000 – 3,000 BCE many people
began to DOMESTICATE animals and crops.
Their main crops were corn (maize), squash,
and beans.

11.  People who settled in the area east of the
Mississippi
 Were hunters, gatherers, and farmers
 Surplus in farming allowed people to settle in
areas, which established on order with
governors, priests, and mound builders

13.  Settled around Ohio River 3,000 years ago