Early Human Migration to America

Early Human Migration to America

• Earliest humans originated in Africa around 200,000 years ago.
• Migration from Africa to North Africa/Middle East occurred 100,000 years later.
• Migration to India and East Asia followed 30,000 years after that.
• Migration to Europe occurred 30,000 years after the migration to India and East Asia.
• Approximately 25,000 years ago, East Asians began migrating north towards Russia and further east.
• A period of glaciation 15,000 years ago exposed the Bering Strait, forming a land bridge.
• Early humans crossed the Bering Strait, establishing themselves in North America.

Adaptation and Development

• Immigrants quickly adapted to North American environments and food sources.
• Development of new food sources through hybridization and early farming techniques.
• North America may have been the origin of 60% of current global food supply.
• Early First Nations of the Americas were known for their variety of nutritious foods and culinary preparations.
• Migrations spread through central and South America within 3,000 years.
• Population estimates in the Americas before European contact varied between 8 and 112 million in 1492.