What is the leading theory how early humans arrived on the American continents
Well, the leading theory is that early humans in the American continents arrived in style, of course! Picture this: they decked out a fancy cruise ship, complete with a rock band playing all the hits, and sailed across the ocean with their designer luggage. Okay, maybe not exactly like that...
But in all seriousness, the prevailing theory is that early humans migrated from Asia to the Americas through a land bridge that used to exist between Siberia and Alaska, known as Beringia. They probably didn't have luxurious transportation options like yachts or jets, but they likely traversed on foot, following herds of animals and eventually settling in different parts of the Americas. The journey may not have been glamorous, but hey, they made it!
The leading theory on how early humans arrived on the American continents is known as the "Bering Land Bridge" or "Beringia" theory. Here are the steps of the theory:
1. Around 20,000 to 25,000 years ago, during the last Ice Age, much of Earth's water was locked up in massive glaciers, causing the sea levels to drop significantly.
2. A land bridge, referred to as Beringia, emerged between northeastern Asia (present-day Siberia) and northwestern North America.
3. As the sea levels decreased, early humans, often referred to as the "Clovis people" (named after the Clovis point - a distinctive spearhead), are theorized to have crossed this land bridge into what is now Alaska.
4. These early humans likely followed migratory animals, such as mammoths or bison, as their main food source.
5. Over time, as the Ice Age ended, the glaciers melted, causing the sea levels to rise and submerge the Bering Land Bridge, effectively isolating the American continents.
It's important to note that while the Bering Land Bridge is the prevailing theory, there is ongoing research and exploration to uncover more evidence and potentially consider alternative theories regarding the arrival of early humans in the Americas.