For many years, anthropologists believed that Native Americans were from Siberia. New evidence suggests that people from other Asian groups also came to America, perhaps at different times. Scientists who study the shape and size of a skeleton are known as osteologists. Osteologists study human remains to learn about health, disease, and ancestry. Based on a recent study of Asian and Native American skeletons, osteologists believe that Native American ancestry includes more than one Asian group.
Archaeologists have not found skeletal remains of Paleoindian people in Illinois. At present, we do not know much about the appearance of these people, how tall they were, how long they lived, or anything about their overall health.
Paleo-Indians Environment
During the Ice Age, complicated interactions between the earth's atmosphere and its oceans caused extensive glaciations during the Pleistocene, or Ice Age. The power, weight, and movement of ice shaped much of the Illinois landscape. During the Ice Age, which lasted from about 1.6 million to 12,000 years ago, mile-thick masses of glacial ice extended into Illinois, moving colossal amounts of rock and earth.
Paleo-Indians Economy
Paleo-Indian economy was based on hunting and gathering resources whose availability was largely influenced by the season of the year and geographic distribution. The availability of plants and animals depends on the season, especially the growing season during which plants produce fruits, seeds, and nuts. The distribution of plants and animals is also affected by the availability of water and by topography. Resources such as stone suitable for tool making were also not available everywhere. Hunter - gatherer economy is a matter of being at the right place at the right time to take advantage of a desirable resource.
Paleo-Indians Technology
Paleo-Indian technology was based on stone, bone, wood, and other natural materials. Many tools were fashioned