Interior route Settlement of the Americas
map showing approximate location of ice-free corridor , specific paleoindian sites (clovis theory).
historically, theories migration americas have centered on migration beringia through interior of north america. discovery of artifacts in association pleistocene faunal remains near clovis, new mexico in 1930s required extension of timeframe settlement of north america period during glaciers still extensive. led hypothesis of migration route between laurentide , cordilleran ice sheets explain settlement. clovis site host lithic technology characterized spear points indentation, or flute, point attached shaft. lithic complex characterized clovis point technology subsequently identified on of north america , in south america. association of clovis complex technology late pleistocene faunal remains led theory marked arrival of big game hunters migrated out of beringia dispersed throughout americas, otherwise known clovis first theory.
recent radiocarbon dating of clovis sites has yielded ages of 11.1k 10.7k c years bp (13k 12.6k cal years bp), later dates derived older techniques. re-evaluation of earlier radiocarbon dates led conclusion no fewer 11 of 22 clovis sites radiocarbon dates problematic , should disregarded, including type site in clovis, new mexico. numerical dating of clovis sites has allowed comparison of clovis dates dates of other archaeosites throughout americas, , of opening of ice-free corridor. both lead significant challenges clovis first theory. monte verde site of southern chile has been dated @ 14.8k cal years bp. paisley cave site in eastern oregon yielded c date of 12.4k years (14.5k cal years) bp, on coprolite human dna , c dates of 11.3k-11k (13.2k-12.9k cal years) bp on horizons containing western stemmed points. artifact horizons non-clovis lithic assemblages , pre-clovis ages occur in eastern north america, although maximum ages tend poorly constrained.
geological findings on timing of ice-free corridor challenge notion clovis , pre-clovis human occupation of americas result of migration through route following last glacial maximum. pre-lgm closing of corridor may approach 30k cal years bp , estimates of ice retreat corridor in range of 12 13k cal years bp. viability of corridor human migration route has been estimated @ 11.5k cal years bp, later ages of clovis , pre-clovis sites. dated clovis archaeosites suggest south-to-north spread of clovis culture.
pre-last glacial maximum migration interior has been proposed explain pre-clovis ages archaeosites in americas, although pre-clovis sites such meadowcroft rock shelter, monte verde, , paisley cave have not yielded confirmed pre-lgm ages.
the interior route consistent spread of na dene language group , subhaplogroup x2a americas after earliest paleoamerican migration.
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