Early Paleo-Eskimo facts for kids
The Early Paleo-Eskimo people were the very first groups of humans to live in the eastern North American Arctic. Imagine them as pioneers exploring and settling this cold, vast land! They were followed by other groups, like the Late Paleo-Eskimo and the Thule. Scientists believe the Early Paleo-Eskimo period lasted for a long time, roughly from about 4,500 years ago to between 2,800 and 2,300 years ago. This time frame can change a bit depending on the specific area and how archaeologists study it.
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Who Were the Early Paleo-Eskimo People?
The Early Paleo-Eskimo way of life is known by several different names, depending on where and when these groups lived. Think of them as different branches of the same family tree!
Different Groups and Their Homes
- Independence I lived in the very far north, in the High Arctic and Greenland.
- Saqqaq also lived in Greenland.
- Pre-Dorset people were found across the High and Central Arctic, including Baffin and the Ungava region.
- Groswater lived further south, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
These groups all shared a similar way of making tools. This common tool-making style is called the Arctic Small Tool Tradition.
What Was the Arctic Small Tool Tradition?
The Arctic Small Tool Tradition is famous for its tiny, sharp stone tools called microliths. These were small, carefully crafted blades that could be attached to bone or antler handles to make knives, spears, or harpoons. This clever way of making tools helped them hunt and survive in the harsh Arctic environment.
Where Did They Come From?
Archaeologists believe that the ancestors of the Early Paleo-Eskimo people originally came from Alaska. From there, they likely traveled across the Bering Strait from Siberia and Eurasia many thousands of years ago, slowly spreading across the Arctic.
