U.S. History Timline: Before 1492

40,000 B.C.
  40,000 b.c.
- 11,000 b.c.
First people (called Paleo-Indians) cross from Siberia to Alaska and begin to move into North America.
Paleo-Indians 14,000 b.c.
- 11,000 b.c.
Paleo-Indians use stone points attached to spears to hunt big mammoths in northern parts of North America.
  11,000 b.c.
Big mammoths disappear and Paleo-Indians begin to gather plants for food.
bison 8000 b.c.
- 1000 b.c.
North American Indians begin using stone to grind food and to hunt bison and smaller animals
  1000 b.c.
- a.d. 500
Woodland Indians, who lived east of the Mississippi River, bury people who have died under large burial mounds (which can still be seen today).
Anasazi pottery After a.d.
500
Anasazi peoples in the Southwestern United States live in homes on cliffs, called cliff dwellings. Anasazi pottery and dishes are well known for their beautiful patterns.
  After a.d.
700
Mississippian Indian people in Southeastern United States develop farms and build burial mounds.
700-1492
Many different Indian cultures develop throughout North America

Before 1492   |   1492-1783   |   1783-1900   |   20th Century