California's First People, Lesson 1

a period when the Earth’s climate became very cold, and ice covered much of Canada and northern Europe

Where did they come from?

Thousands of years ago, during the ice age, Earth’s climate became very cold. Huge sheets of thick ice called glaciers slowly covered Canada and northern Europe. 

With so much of the Earth’s water frozen, the sea levels lowered. This created a landbridge between the continents of Asia and North America.

Many scientists believe the first people in North America came across the land bridge from Asia, following the animals they hunted for food. 

New evidence shows that the first Americans may have traveled from parts of Europe and Asia in boats, following the coastline.

Whether by foot or by boat, some of those who entered North America travelled to the area we now call the state of California.

Scientists learn about the past by studying artifacts. Artifacts are tools, weapons, and other objects left behind by people of long ago.

Archaeologists are scientists who find and study these objects. They examine the artifacts carefully to learn about the people who made them.  

Artifacts tell archaeologists that Native Americans have been living in North America for at least 12,000 years.

Long before European explorers sailed to North and South America, there were about 300,000 Native Americans living in 22 different tribes in California.

More than 135 different languages were spoken by California’s first people.

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