Who were the earliest people to live in New Mexico?
The earliest people to live in New Mexico were Paleo-Indians, who arrived in the region around 11,000 years ago. These early inhabitants were nomadic hunters and gatherers who followed herds of animals like mammoths and bison. They lived in caves and rock shelters and used tools made from stone, bone, and wood. As the climate in New Mexico changed, the Paleo-Indians adapted their way of life and began to live in more permanent settlements. They developed new technologies, such as agriculture and pottery, and began to trade with other cultures in the region. By the time the Spanish arrived in New Mexico in the 16th century, the area was home to a variety of Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache tribes.