Skip to main content
Paleo-Amerind

Paleo-Amerind

9.9
A person who lived in the Americas more than 10,000 years ago and made stone tools
  • noun
  • /ˈpeɪlioʊ ˈæmərɪnd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : paleoamerindio
  • Studies suggest that Paleo-Amerinds migrated to the Americas over 13,000 years ago.

Examples

  • Many Paleo-Amerinds relied on hunting and gathering.

  • The stone tools discovered were attributed to Paleo-Amerind cultures.

  • Archaeologists found artifacts believed to have been created by Paleo-Amerind hunters.

  • The Paleo-Amerind cultures were fascinating to study.

  • Archaeologists found artifacts believed to have been created by Paleo-Amerind hunters.

  • Studies suggest that Paleo-Amerinds migrated to the Americas over 13,000 years ago.

  • The stone tools discovered were attributed to Paleo-Amerind cultures.

Synonyms

Paleo-Indian
vsPaleo-Amerind
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A person from the first human groups to live in North or South America during the last Ice Age

is used more generally for early populations rather than one earliest group
Paleo-American
vsPaleo-Amerind
  • Specialized
9.9

A person from the first groups of people to live in North or South America more than 10,000 years ago

is broader meaning early populations rather than strictly the very first

Surface Forms

Paleo-Amerind singular

Morphology

Paleo-Amerind = Amerind (semi-transparent) = paleo + Amerind

The prefix 'paleo-' clearly signals 'ancient', but 'Amerind' is a specialized term for indigenous American peoples, so the compound is understandable in structure but relies on specialist vocabulary.

Etymology

The word Paleo-Amerind breaks into two parts: Paleo- meaning 'old' and Amerind meaning 'American Indian' or 'native people of the Americas'. So, Paleo-Amerind refers to the very early native people who lived in North and South America long ago, which is why archaeologists use it for groups from over 13,000 years ago.