Overview
This lecture traces the migration and cultural evolution of the first inhabitants of the Americas, focusing on their arrival and development in Colombia from the last Ice Age to historical indigenous cultures.
The Last Ice Age and Early Human Migration
- The last glaciation, or late Pleistocene, began around 110,000 BC and ended about 9,000 BC, creating colder, drier climates.
- Climate changes reduced resources and motivated early Homo sapiens to migrate from Africa to Europe and Asia between 70,000–60,000 BC.
- By 25,000 BC, humans had settled in Siberia, adapting to harsh conditions as nomadic hunter-gatherers.
Crossing into the Americas
- During the Last Glacial Maximum, low sea levels exposed the Beringia land bridge, connecting Siberia and Alaska.
- Human migration into the Americas through Beringia likely occurred between 18,000–15,000 BC, over many generations.
- These first American settlers are better termed "hunter-gatherers" rather than "Paleo-Indians," reflecting their true identity.
Spread and Cultural Evolution in the Americas
- Some groups settled in Alaska, leading to Eskimo cultures (Inuit, Yupit, Alut); others migrated further south.
- Migrants reached Canada (14,000–12,000 BC) and the US (13,000–10,000 BC), founding cultures like Clovis, Folsom, and Plano.
- Continued movement led groups through Mexico (~12,000 BC), where warming climates allowed the rise of Mesoamerican civilizations.
First Settlers in Colombia
- Hunter-gatherers entered Colombia through the Panama Isthmus around 12,000–10,000 BC, settling first in the Caribbean region.
- Expansion led to varied cultures: Tairona in Sierra Nevada, Senú in the Sinú River plains, Tumaco and Pasto in the Pacific and Nariño, and Muisca in Bogotá.
- The Orinoquia and Amazon were settled by groups like the Achaguas, Salihuas, Huitotos, Ticunas, and Tucanos.
Legacy of Migration and Cultural Diversity
- These migrations created a tapestry of Colombian cultures—Caribbean, Pacific, Andean, Orinoquian, and Amazonian—demonstrating adaptation and resilience.
- Later migrations continued south, contributing to the diverse indigenous heritage across South America.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Last Glaciation (Pleistocene) — The most recent Ice Age, ending around 9,000 BC, which affected global climates and migration.
- Beringia Land Bridge — The ice-free land connection between Siberia and Alaska exposed during the last Ice Age.
- Hunter-Gatherers — Nomadic people whose subsistence depended on hunting animals and gathering wild plants.
- Holocene — The current geological epoch, starting around 12,000 BC, marked by a warmer climate.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review migration timelines and key cultures mentioned.
- Study maps tracing early human migration routes to the Americas and within Colombia.