Module 3: Migration

For most of the early human history transhumance or the seasonal migration of people following the herds as they move for new feeding grounds was the norm until about 65,000 when the first long-distance permanent migration (a permanent move to a new location) out of east Africa was believed to have happened taking them to all corners of the ecumene (inhabited areas of the world) over tens of thousands of years. Scientists disagree on the specific time periods; some studies suggest that the big move may have started 120,000 years ago. There is also disagreement on the reasons behind this mass migration. Significant evidence suggests that periodic climate change may have played a major role. The earliest evidence of Human remains in North America is also controversial, scientist tend to agree that the earliest evidence of human remains in North America dates to approximately 13,000 years ago, when humans are hypothesized to have crossed an ice bridge from Eastern Russia into Alaska during the last Ice Age, before spending the next several thousand years spreading throughout North and South America, and The Caribbean. However, recent footprints found at White Sands National Park in New Mexico provide the earliest evidence of human activity in the Americas over 23,000 years ago based on radiocarbon dating of seed layers above and below the footprints. This corresponds to the height of the last glacial cycle, during something known as the Last Glacial Maximum, and makes them the oldest known human footprints in the Americas.

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Recall: definitions of migration and associated significant terms (MLO 1)
• Explain: the geographic patterns of migration within and between countries as influenced by economic, sociocultural, political, and environmental factors in the contemporary historical period (MLO 2)
• Describe: the general relationship between demographic factors and migration across time (MLO 3)
• Link: factors of globalization to recent trends in migration (MLO 4)

To achieve these objectives: 

• Read the Module 3 Introduction
• Read Chapter 3: Population and Health in the textbook: Introduction to Human Geography
• Complete the Module 3 Assignment, Discussion Board Posts (3), Chapter Figures

Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item. Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities