The Early Americas
Who were the first Americans?
The first Americans likely crossed a land bridge from Asia to North America.
What kind of homes did the Anasazi build?
Cliff dwellings.
How did the Anasazi bring water to their crops?
They built irrigation systems.
What is the purpose of an irrigation system?
To bring water to crops from rivers or streams in dry environments.
What kind of homes did the Inuit live in during the winter?
Igloos.
Which four major civilizations lived in the early Americas?
The Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca.
What important structure did the Mississippians build for ceremonies and as burial sites?
Mounds (such as Cahokia Mounds).
What was one way the Hohokam adapted to living in the desert?
They built an advanced system of canals to irrigate their crops.
How did the Anasazi manage to farm in the desert?
They built irrigation canals to bring water from rivers to their crops.
How did the Anasazi’s cliff dwellings protect them from the environment?
They provided natural air conditioning, keeping them cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
What crops did many early civilizations grow to survive?
Corn, beans, and squash (the “Three Sisters”
Which Native American culture lived in the Arctic and used igloos for shelter?
The Inuit.
Why did the Anasazi build their homes in cliffs?
For protection from enemies and the desert heat.
What crops did the Anasazi grow using their irrigation systems?
Corn, beans, and squash.
What material did the Inuit use to build igloos?
Blocks of snow and ice.
What civilization built large stone heads to honor their leaders?
The Olmec.
What are the 'Three Sisters' crops grown by many Native American cultures?
Corn, beans, and squash.
What was the primary crop grown by both the Anasazi and the Hohokam?
What animal did the Inuit hunt for food and fuel in their oil lamps?
Seals.
Where were the Mississippians’ mounds usually built?
Along rivers, such as the Mississippi River.
What is one reason the Maya are considered mathematical geniuses?
They developed the concept of zero and an accurate calendar.
How did the Adena people of the Ohio Valley build their famous mounds?
They moved large amounts of earth, sometimes in the shape of animals like serpents.
How did the Inuit people adapt to living in the cold Arctic environment?
They hunted seals and whales for food and built igloos for shelter.
How did the Inuit make their clothes and tools in the Arctic?
They used materials like animal hides, bones, and fur from the animals they hunted.
What is one reason the Anasazi built their homes on the sides of cliffs?
For protection from enemies and extreme weather.