The Clovis Conundrum
The Clovis Conundrum
by: Giovanni J.R.C.
--Traditionally, it is believed that the first Americans where of Asian origin. Because of this, many venture to conclude that the first Americans were present around twelve to fifteen thousand years ago. These people, collectively known as the Paleo-Indians, were thought to have been hunters and gatherers who followed large game that migrated from eastern Asia into the New World. This was made possible by a land bridge present during this time period (known as the Pleistocene) which connected the two large continents together. The land bridge, most commonly known as the Bering Strait Land Bridge or Beringia, was actually a broad plain of 1,300 miles (Turnbaugh, et.al, #355). Mostly comprised of vegetation such as lichens, mosses and sedges, this relatively dry (although frigid) mass was said to have been an “ice-free corridor” that enabled the people to migrate quite effectively. Through this bridge, the first Americans were said to have migrated and thus populated the continent. The assumption that these bands were large game hunters is substantiated by the discovery of various “butchering sites” through out America that was dated around this period. Areas such as Meadowcroft, Folsom, Pendejo, Spirit Cave and others give evidence that people were already present in America during the Paleocene (Turnbaugh, et.al, #258). Perhaps the most popular of these areas, the Clovis site (which can be located a few miles south of the Folsom site) produced an extensive amount of artifacts including micro-blade spear points which are “fluted” in order to be fitted on spear shafts.
--Although quite substantiated, the idea that the first Americans originated from northeast Asia is now under fire due to new discoveries which may alter the originally believed date of the Paleo-Indians’ presence. One such evidence is the discovery of a site by Tom Dillehay, which is located in South America, called Monte Verde (Turnbaugh, et.al, #360). Although still argued, if the authenticity of this site (which is believed to be dated at around twelve thousand years) was ever to be finalized, this should show that there were earlier migrants before the Clovis man. It’s either that or they may have migrated south quite rapidly which may virtually have been impossible.
--Another evidence that may prove contrary to the Clovis theory is the newly discovered site of Cactus Hill. Scientists who have worked on this site claim to have evidence that prove the presence of inhabitants in America long before the approximated 12000-13500 year old Clovis migration (handout, #3). One such evidence is the tools found in the site which were chemically dated at around 18000-20000 years ago. Furthermore, the tools can only be found, outside this site, in northern Spain in the form of the Solutrean technology (#3). Because of this, researchers claim that the first Americans were not Asians but were actually Europeans who came here by boats via Ireland. In addition to this, they also use genetic evidences to substantiate their claims. They state that although there are no human remains, they can trace a genetic marker that are only compatible between Europeans and Native Americans. Thus, because Asians do not have this marker present at all in their genetic make-up, this may solidify the idea that early Paleo-Indians were actually from Spain (#1).
--In conclusion, because the idea of the Clovis man being the first American has long been established in the scholastic world of Archaeology, new and perhaps real evidences may have a hard time displacing this idea. Because of this, only irrefutable evidences can be submitted in order to actually prove the fact that there were earlier bands who migrated in the continent before 13000 years ago. Such evidences may lie on the discovery of actual human remains that can be linked to the site and its antiquity, another may be in the form of a sea vessel that can be dated around 18000-20000 y.a. However, perhaps the most important of all is the change in attitude by established “experts” regarding this topic. Their lack of desire to entertain new ideas (that may actually be correct) may be due to the fact that they arrogantly dismiss factual evidences because they do not want to admit that what they dedicated their lives to may actually have been a mistake.
Bibliography:
Handout, Europeans possibly 1st Americans, Chicago Tribune, 04/06/00.
Turnbaugh, William. et.al, (1999). Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology. Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
