Mod 3, Not a Web Resource, but The First Face of America


            Instead of blogging about a mod 3 resource this week, I decided to blog about an amazing documentary I watched earlier in the week. Currently found on Netflix is Nova season 45 episode 4, “First Face of America.” Nova followed the discovery and eventual removal of 13,000-year-old human remains.
            The team that discovered the remains learned of an underwater cave in Mexico that had multiple large animal skeletons. While deep in the cave they located a deep pit that was loaded with large animal remains. They found more then thirty animals which are now extinct in the bottom of the pit. Prior to the last Ice Age, this cave would have been dry.
            While studying the animal remains the team discovered a nearly intact human skeleton. They removed a small sample from the remains for testing and discovered the skeleton was 13,000 years old. Making this the oldest most intact human remains found in America.
            After much preparation the team was ready to remove the remains from the cave. Very carefully the team removed the skeleton from the cave and had the remains sent to a lab for testing. Testing revealed that the remains were that of a teenage girl, around 16 or 17 years old. Besides her age, researchers were also able to learn what a difficult life she had. Due to the density of her bones and muscle connections they were able to conclude that she was physically active and strong. Indicating that she ran a lot and was able to lift heavy objects. At some point she suffered a spiral fracture in her arm, today that is usually a sign of child abuse.
            A deeper study of her teeth and bones showed multiple periods with a lack of protein. This indicates that her and her people were new to the area and at a certain season they were unable to find food.
            Researchers also discovered a broken hip, suffered at her time of death. They were able to surmise that she had fallen into the pit where they found her. The team believes, like the animals found in the pit, she must have gotten lost and fallen nearly 100 feet to the bottom of the pit.
            Her remains and other remains found that date around 9000 plus years old left researchers with another question. If these are the first peoples of Americas and the Indians are their direct descendants, how come their facial features are so different. When they showed the skulls of a modern Indian and these early remains, they look nothing alike.
            The documentary went on to talk about a recently discovered campsite, on what we now know was the land bridge up north that the Indians were believed to have crossed during the ice age. Their they discovered two babies buried next to each other. The babies were more then 9000 years old. DNA from the babies, the 13,000-year-old remains, other old remains, and modern Indians was sent away for analysis.
            The DNA revealed a monumental discovery. The explanation was a little complicated, but the result was the babies’ DNA was the basis for all modern-day Indians. So, the best I can explain their explanation is on the land bridge multiple races gathered on the land bridge. They lived there for awhile and intermingled. Eventually this intermingling led to the birth of a new race of people, the modern-day Indians. Eventually, these different races continued their journey into America with the new race of people. This is why no DNA from ancient modern-day Indians has ever been found on the other side of the land bridge. Thus, making America the true birthplace of the American Indian.
Works Cited
PBS, “First Face of America,” Nova Season 45 Episode 4 retrieved from Netflix

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