America Before the European Invasions

Beginning with the immigrants from Asia, through inventions of agriculture, cities and kingdoms, American First Nations are integral to the history of the United States. They explored the continent, pioneered its waterways and mountain passes, cleared forests, irrigated deserts, and ranched its great plains.Invading Europeans justifies their conquests by denying the evidence of American Indian civilisations. Using her familiarity with the archaeological remains and remnants, Alice Kehoe builds a fascinating prehistory, highlighting the research puzzles along the way.This book presents an enthralling look at the depth and diversity of American history - before the Europeans and the deadly epidemics they brought with them decimated whole nations.

List of illustrations. Acknowledgements. Introduction: History without Documents 1.First Americans 2. The Archaic Period: 7000-1000BCE 3.Nuclear America 4.Early Woodland, 1000-100BC 5.Middle Woodland, 100BC-AD400 6.The West Coast 7.Alaska 8.The Interior West 9.The American Southwest 10.The Mississippian Period, AD 950-1600 11.Late Woodland, to AD 1600 12.Overview: the United States, 1600 13.Issues and Puzzles Index

Alice Kehoe is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has written the major college text North American Indians: A Comprehensive Account.