Key Terms from Early American History

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Paleo-Indians

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The first peoples who entered, and inhabited, the American continent after the ice age

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Carbon Dating

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A scientific method used to determine the age of an artifact, fossil, or other remains by measuring the decay of carbon isotopes.

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Foraging

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The act of searching for and exploiting food resources in the wild.

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Mound Builders

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Native American peoples known for constructing various styles of earthen mounds for religious, ceremonial, and burial purposes.

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Artisan

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A skilled craftsperson who makes goods by hand.

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First People

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Refers to the original inhabitants of a region, often used to describe indigenous peoples.

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Semi-Sedentary

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A lifestyle characterized by moving between a few permanent settlements, often seasonally.

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Matrilineal

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A system of lineage in which descent is traced through the mother and maternal ancestors.

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Corn Dance

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A ceremonial dance performed by some Native American tribes to honor the corn harvest.