Additional Coverage:
- 14 archeological sites in the US that changed what we know about the earliest Americans (businessinsider.com)
Unearth the Ancient Mysteries of America: Archaeological Sites Older Than You Think
Forget pyramids and Roman ruins! The United States boasts archaeological sites that predate even the Vikings, offering glimpses into the lives of North America’s earliest inhabitants.
While the exact arrival of the first humans remains a mystery, these sites provide crucial clues. Some believe they crossed the Bering Strait over 15,000 years ago.
As archaeologist Kenneth Feder, author of “Ancient America: Fifty Archaeological Sites to See for Yourself,” points out, the further back in time we go, the harder it becomes to find and interpret these sites.
While some sites, like White Sands and Cooper’s Ferry, have sparked debate about their age, they still contribute significantly to our understanding of early Americans. Others, more recent, showcase diverse cultures that flourished across the country, leaving behind complex structures and captivating pictographs. Many of these sites are open to the public, inviting you to explore America’s ancient past.
Footprints in Time: White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Imagine a New Mexico teeming with prehistoric camels, mammoths, and giant sloths. As the climate shifted around 11,000 years ago, receding waters revealed human footprints alongside these extinct creatures, even capturing a possible hunt.
Recent research suggests some footprints could be 21,000 to 23,000 years old, potentially predating other US sites and raising questions about these early inhabitants. While the white sands themselves are open to exploration, the footprints currently remain off-limits.
A Controversial Find: Meadowcroft Rockshelter, Pennsylvania
In the 1970s, archaeologist James M. Adovasio ignited controversy with his claim that artifacts found in southwestern Pennsylvania were 16,000 years old, challenging the prevailing belief that the Clovis culture, dating back 12,000 to 13,000 years, represented the first Americans.
While the age of Meadowcroft’s artifacts remains debated, the site’s importance is undeniable. It prompted archaeologists to consider the possibility of pre-Clovis inhabitants.
Visitors can see the excavation itself at the Heinz History Center.
Pre-Clovis Clues: Cooper’s Ferry, Idaho
Stone tools and charred bones, dating back 14,000 to 16,000 years, add to the pre-Clovis theory. These unique tools differ from Clovis projectiles, suggesting a possible coastal migration route along the western edge of the continent. Situated on traditional Nez Perce land, Cooper’s Ferry continues to intrigue researchers.
Underwater Discoveries: Page-Ladson, Florida
A former Navy SEAL’s discovery in a Florida sinkhole led to the uncovering of mammoth and mastodon bones alongside stone tools, including a tusk with apparent cut marks. Radiocarbon dating confirmed the site’s pre-Clovis age, offering evidence of a well-adapted population 14,550 years ago. Due to its underwater location and private ownership, the site is not open to the public.
Ancient Clues in Fossilized Poop: Paisley Caves, Oregon
Fossilized poop, or coprolites, provided remarkable insights into the lives of humans over 14,000 years ago. Genetic tests on coprolites from an Oregon cave suggest a human presence on the West Coast 1,000 years before the Clovis people. Located on federal land and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Paisley Caves offer another piece of the puzzle of early human migration.
A Seasonal Hunting Ground: Swan Point, Alaska
Swan Point, Alaska, boasts the oldest evidence of human habitation in the state, with tools, hearths, and mammoth bones dating back 14,000 years. Researchers believe this area served as a seasonal hunting camp. While Alaska likely holds a wealth of archaeological treasures, its challenging environment and short digging season make excavation difficult.
The Clovis Culture and Beyond: Blackwater Draw, New Mexico
The discovery of mammoth bones and fluted projectile points near Clovis, New Mexico, in 1929 led to the naming of the Clovis culture. However, further research revealed artifacts from different cultures, including Folsom points, challenging the long-held belief that the Clovis people were the first Americans. The Blackwater Draw Museum offers access to this significant site.
Sunrise Girl-Child: Upper Sun River, Alaska
The discovery of the remains of a child, known as Sunrise Girl-Child, at Upward Sun River, Alaska, provided invaluable genetic information. The 11,300-year-old infant belonged to a previously unknown Native American population, the Ancient Beringians. This finding suggests that humans may have arrived in Alaska as early as 20,000 years ago.
A Gathering Place: Poverty Point National Monument, Louisiana
The impressive mounds of Poverty Point, constructed over 3,000 years ago, remain a marvel. While their purpose remains unclear, artifacts suggest the site served as a trading hub for hundreds of years. This World Heritage Site is open to the public year-round.
Ancient Art: Horseshoe Canyon, Utah
Horseshoe Canyon’s pictographs, dating back 2,000 to 900 years, showcase the Barrier Canyon style, depicting life-sized human and animal figures. These captivating images offer a glimpse into the Desert Archaic culture and a time of cultural exchange. While a challenging trek, the pictographs offer a rewarding experience.
A Canyon of History: Canyon de Chelly, Arizona
Canyon de Chelly, located within the Navajo Nation, boasts stunning desert landscapes and a rich history. Ancestral Pueblo and Hopi groups left behind cliff dwellings, pictographs, and other traces of their lives. The White House, a remarkable cliff dwelling over 900 years old, is open to the public without a guide.
Preserving the Past: Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Mesa Verde National Park, the first national park dedicated to preserving human-made structures, protects hundreds of Ancestral Pueblo dwellings, including the magnificent Cliff Palace. Visitors can explore these remarkable structures and learn about the people who built them.
North America’s First City?: Cahokia, Illinois
Cahokia, near present-day St. Louis, thrived around 1,000 years ago as a bustling center of agriculture, artistry, and trade.
Its large mounds, built by the Mississippians, served as foundations for important structures. While typically open to the public, parts of Cahokia are currently closed for renovations.
A Cliffside Dwelling: Montezuma Castle, Arizona
Montezuma Castle, a five-story cliff dwelling built by the Sinagua people around 1100, showcases remarkable architectural skill and ingenuity. While visitors cannot enter the building, a short walk along a trail offers stunning views of this ancient dwelling.
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- 14 archeological sites in the US that changed what we know about the earliest Americans (businessinsider.com)