North America 1000 BCE

What is happening in North America in 1000BCE

During the past thousand years the first North American civilization has appeared. This has occurred in Mexico and neighboring areas, where several farming cultures now flourish. The most advanced of these is the Olmec civilization.

At this date most peoples of present-day USA and Canada still live as hunter-gatherers. However, even at this early date irrigation farming is present in the arid South West.

At about this time, in the Mississippi valley, the Adena culture is emerging. It is characterized by the construction of large earthworks for religious and ceremonial purposes. This is the start of a tradition which will last right up to the coming of the Europeans.

Next map, North America in 500 BCE

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The coming of farming

Hunter-gatherers

Pre-Columbian civilizations of America

Pre-Columbian peoples of North America