American IndiansThe original inhabitants of the American continent, who arrived during the last glacial period (according to some estimates, 14–40 000 years ago, but the issue is controversial) from Asia, crossing from Siberia over the Bering Strait, perhaps in three waves. They settled in North America, where the earliest sites are now thought to date from c.17 000 years ago, extended into Middle America (Mesoamerica), and reached what is now Chile by c.13 000 years ago. Common origins with the Chinese NE of the Yenisey R have been suggested.