Beginning with the immigrants from Asia, through inventions of agriculture, cities and kingdoms, American First Nations are integral to the history of the United States. They explored the continent, pioneered its waterways and mountain passes, cleared forests, irrigated deserts, and ranched its great plains.

Invading Europeans justifies their conquests by denying the evidence of American Indian civilisations. Using her familiarity with the archaeological remains and remnants, Alice Kehoe builds a fascinating prehistory, highlighting the research puzzles along the way.

This book presents an enthralling look at the depth and diversity of American history - before the Europeans and the deadly epidemics they brought with them decimated whole nations.

Settled for many thousands of years by Native Americans, who had developed extensive, varied and long-lasting cultures across the continent, North America's economic development on the eve of the European invasions was not hugely dissimilar to that of the European settlers themselves. Based on a thorough examination of the archaeological and anthropological evidence, Alice Kehoe's enterprising new volume, tells the complex story of early America and the history of the indigenous peoples who inhabited the continent before the coming of the Europeans. As the only properly integrated textbook on the subject it will provide a valuable resource for students of US history and anthropology.