Pre-Ceramic Period Pre-Classic Period Classic Period Post-Classic Period Aztec Empire
	PRE-CERAMIC PERIOD 30,000 B.C.-1500 B.C. rehistoric Mesoamericans were hunter-gatherers of Asian origin who traveled to the North American continent via the Bering Strait at least 15,000 to 30,000 years ago, and perhaps much earlier. They hunted large Pleistocene animals such as mammoth, had the use of fire, and used stone tools. They lived in small bands that followed migrating animals and seasonally ripening plants. Sometimes small bands would gather into larger groups and settle temporarily in a fruitful spot. Gradually these peoples learned to cultivate crops such as maize, which led to more permanent village cultures by 1500 B.C.