Rewriting the Timeline of The First Human Arrival in North America
Archaeologists have long debated when humans first arrived in North America, with many believing it happened 13,000 years ago. However, new evidence presented at the 2023 American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting suggests humans may have arrived much earlier, shaking up what we thought we knew about our past.
Old Theory vs. New Evidence
For years, experts believed an ice-free corridor opened 13,000 years ago, allowing the first settlers to reach North America. But radiocarbon dating of ancient footprints in New Mexico’s Tularosa Basin tells a different story—these prints date back 23,000 years, rewriting the timeline of North American human migration.
An Ancient Canadian Village
The discovery of an old village in Canada further challenges the old theory. In 2017, archaeologists unearthed hunting tools and fire-starting artifacts in British Columbia dating back 14,000 years. These findings align with ancient oral traditions of the Heiltsuk Nation, which have long spoken of early settlements in the Canadian region.
Did They Arrive On Boats?
Humans have been sailing for roughly 50,000 years, so it’s no surprise that the first settlers in North America, arriving 13,000 or 23,000 years ago, likely traveled by boat. While experts agree boats were key, could there have been alternative means of transportation for these first migrants?
Strong Currents and The Alternative
New findings reveal ocean currents were twice as strong back then, making boat travel nearly impossible. Instead of braving the currents, early humans might have endured the harsh elements, walking on sea ice along the “The Kelp Highway.” According to Liza Lester, “This theory holds that early Americans slowly traveled down into North America in boats, following the bountiful goods found in coastal waters.”
A Painstaking Process
Key findings challenge the 13,000-year migration theory, but the science behind them is far from simple. Researchers, including Summer Praetorius from the US Geological Survey, analyzed the chemistry and abundance of plankton in ocean sediments, uncovering clues that improve our understanding of the conditions early Northern American settlers faced.
