Topography and climate    Bordered by a coastal plain south and east, with interior mountains, plateaus, and forests. Along the Mississippi’s banks, wetlands stretched farther than the eye could see. As the weather slowly warmed, snow receded from the mountaintops and the lowlands blossomed. Glacial meltwaters fed growth along the rivers.

Plant and animal life    With the warming, evergreens gave way to deciduous trees on the mountain flanks. A broad savannah stretched far beyond the modern coastline. Plants and animals thrived. Wetlands were a haven for waterfowl; soon-to-be-extinct species like saber tooth tiger existed alongside wolves and deer.

When the first people arrived    Estimated sometime before 13,500 years ago, although scientists are not certain. next >>

How people lived    The early nomads soon became settled societies with distinct local traditions. People were highly mobile, favoring areas rich in game, plants, and raw material, especially along the rivers and coast. Apparently many lived near outcrops of chert, the preferred material for tools.

Main challenge to survival    Competition from predators; difficulty finding other groups of people on the vast landscape.

Research milestone    With so many kinds of projectile points found, the region was a center of innovation. Several areas have evidence of continuous habitation.

Promising research    Were the newcomers highly specialized hunters—eventually wiping out mammals like the mammoth—or generalists skilled at making the most of the total environment? A number of sites promise answers. << back