Covers the prehistory of the Americas north of the Rio Grande. Discusses the latest evidence and debates about the initial Native American settlement of the Americas. Most of the course is devoted to three specific regions of North America: the Adena and Hopewell of the Midwest, the Ancient Pueblo Peoples (“Anasazi”) of the southwest, and the Mississippians and Cahokians from the Gulf Coast up to Missouri. The development of complex social and cultural forms in these three areas is emphasized, along with their remarkable subsistence achievements, exchange networks, political organizations, and artistic creations. (Not offered 2019-20)