What does the "Clovis First" hypothesis suggest?

The "Clovis First" hypothesis posits that the Clovis culture represents the earliest known human settlement in the Americas, suggesting that people arrived in the continent via a land bridge called Beringia during the last Ice Age. This culture is characterized by its distinctive stone tools, specifically the Clovis point, which were used for hunting large game. Supporters of this hypothesis argue that the Clovis people were the first to traverse the North American landscape, thus marking the beginning of human habitation in the region.

This idea aligns with archaeological evidence that promotes the idea of a singular migratory wave suggesting that after arriving, these early inhabitants spread throughout the Americas. The Clovis culture is viewed as foundational, influencing later Native American cultures.