History CH. 3-4

Why were native Americans often called Indians in History?

Christopher Columbus thought he discovered India when he arrived in North America in1492 he mistakenly named the Native Americans Indies.

What do scientists believe happened to the dinosaurs 65 million years ago?

Scientist believe a giant meteorite crashed into earth near Yucatan Peninsula about 65 million years ago creating a wave of destruction Ultimately the dinosaurs cold not survive and went extinct.

What is the main theory of how early Americans arrived in North America?

Early Americans came from Asia and crossed the land bridge called Beringia between Siberia and Alaska 15000 to 30000 years ago.

Kennewick Man

The oldest known full human skeleton found in the Americans his physical features resemble early polynesians from South Asia not Native Americans his discovery suggests a new theory of how early Americans migrated to the new World that they travelled by boat along the South Africa Rim instead of crossing Beringia.

What does the term Native mean? Why is this misleading or confusing term to use when describing the first Americans?

The term native means one is born or originated from a specific country or place the Native Americans came from Asia a long time ago so they are not truly native to North and South America

The 9000 year old skull of Kennewick Man discovered in 1996 has shaken up our ideas about early americans?

he does not resemble most Native Americans today or the remains of other Native Americans he looks like he is from the Southern Pacific region of Polynesia he would have likely travelled by boat rather than walking from Siberia to North America.