Politics, Racism, Facts and Fictions.

I chose my words carefully in the introductory paragraphs to the pre-recorded history page that you just left. I said most archaeologists believe the earlist inhabitants of North America migrated from Asia across the Bering land bridge between 15,000 and 10,000 years ago. This is not accepted as fact or supported by all. Some believe that human migrations to North America did not occurr over any extended time period. Others believe human immigrants came from Africa as well as Asia. In the extreme you will find those who claim the theory of human migration from Asia to North America is a conspiritorial lie meant to discredit the early civilizations of the Native Americans.

These differences in belief (opinion) can be honestly arrived upon by scholars who are trying their best, with scant information, to explain things that happened long ago. However, there are also those who have an axe to grind. They may be motivated by racism, a greed to achieve recognition, or some other false agenda. Wisdom would suggest that a little suspicion is a healthy thing.

It is also wise to remember, as the saying goes, "the conquerors write the history books." Reading history can be a very tricky business. The whole truth of what happened, especially when little real evidence remains, can easily be biased by the presenter's political and cultural prejudices. Take a US Elementary or Secondary School history book as an example and read what is said about Andrew Jackson. It's unlikely that such a text would portray Andrew Jackson as a racist pig and murderer who began his career as a scum lawyer foreclosing on property of the poor. Such details of President Jackson's past manage to drop out of the pages.

The theory that humans migrated to North America from Asia across the Bering land bridge is widely accepted by mainstream archaeologists. I suggest however that you investigate some of the other theories that have been offered (e.g. Olmec giant head sculptures) and remember to critically examine all that you read. Look for logical arguments supported by facts, and be sure to duck when the axe grinders swing.