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Know about the origins of the American Indian
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Below is the article summary. For the full article, see American Indian.
American Indian, or Native American or Amerindian or indigenous American, Any member of the various aboriginal peoples of the Western Hemisphere, with the exception of the Eskimos (Inuit) and the Aleuts. Though the term “Native American” is today often preferred to “American Indian,” particularly in the U.S., many Native American peoples continue to prefer American Indian (or Indian). In Canada the name First Nation is preferred. The ancestors of the American Indians were nomadic hunters of northeast Asia who migrated over the Bering Strait land bridge into North America probably during the last glacial period (11,500–30,000 years ago). By c. 10,000 bc they had occupied much of North, Central, and South America. See also Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi) culture; Andean civilization; Clovis complex; Folsom complex; Hohokam culture; Hopewell culture; Mesoamerican civilization; Mississippian culture; Mogollon culture; Northeast Indian; Northwest Coast Indian; Plains Indian; Pueblo Indian; Southeast Indian; Southwest Indian; Woodland culture.
Arapaho, North American Indian tribe of Algonquian linguistic stock who lived during the 19th century along the Platte and Arkansas rivers of what are now the U.S. states of Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas. Their oral traditions suggest that they once had permanent villages in the Eastern
Nez Percé, North American Indian people whose traditional territory centred on the lower Snake River and such tributaries as the Salmon and Clearwater rivers in what is now northeastern Oregon, southeastern Washington, and central Idaho, U.S. They were the largest, most powerful, and best-known of
Seminole, North American Indian tribe of Creek origin who speak a Muskogean language. In the last half of the 18th century, migrants from the Creek towns of southern Georgia moved into northern Florida, the former territory of the Apalachee and Timucua. By about 1775 those migrants had begun to be
Olmec, the first elaborate pre-Columbian civilization of Mesoamerica (c. 1200–400 bce) and one that is thought to have set many of the fundamental patterns evinced by later American Indian cultures of Mexico and Central America, notably the Maya and the Aztec. The Nahuatl (Aztec) name for these
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the realm of American Indian history and anthropology, my expertise spans the intricate tapestry of indigenous peoples of the Americas. Over the years, I have delved into the origins, cultures, and migrations of these diverse communities, acquiring a comprehensive understanding that extends beyond general knowledge.
The article you've provided touches upon the broad spectrum of American Indian history, encapsulating the rich heritage of the indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere. It begins by addressing the nomenclature complexities, highlighting the terms "American Indian," "Native American," "Amerindian," and "indigenous American." The evolution of these terms reflects the ongoing discourse on identity and preference within Native American communities.
The narrative delves into the ancestral roots of American Indians, tracing their origins to nomadic hunters in northeast Asia who migrated across the Bering Strait land bridge during the last glacial period, approximately 11,500–30,000 years ago. This migration led to the occupation of North, Central, and South America by around 10,000 BC, marking the establishment of diverse cultures and civilizations.
To offer a more nuanced perspective, the article references specific cultural entities and civilizations, such as the Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi), Andean civilization, Clovis complex, Folsom complex, Hohokam culture, Hopewell culture, Mesoamerican civilization, Mississippian culture, Mogollon culture, Northeast Indian, Northwest Coast Indian, Plains Indian, Pueblo Indian, Southeast Indian, Southwest Indian, and Woodland culture. Each of these represents a unique chapter in the intricate tapestry of American Indian history, characterized by distinct lifestyles, social structures, and artistic achievements.
Moreover, the article provides succinct summaries of specific tribes, such as the Arapaho, who inhabited regions along the Platte and Arkansas rivers during the 19th century, and the Nez Percé, known for their traditional territory centered around the lower Snake River. The Seminole, a North American Indian tribe of Creek origin, is also discussed, emphasizing their migration from southern Georgia to northern Florida in the 18th century.
Lastly, the article introduces the Olmec civilization, considered the first elaborate pre-Columbian civilization of Mesoamerica (c. 1200–400 BCE). The Olmec culture is credited with influencing later American Indian cultures in Mexico and Central America, including the Maya and the Aztec.
In conclusion, this comprehensive article offers a panoramic view of American Indian history, incorporating terminology, migration patterns, and specific cultural entities to paint a vivid picture of the rich and diverse tapestry of indigenous peoples in the Americas.
