Final answer:
The Clovis tradition was a culture of hunter-gatherers who created the distinctive Clovis points, lived in North America around 13,000 years ago, and had a significant influence on the spread of human populations across the continent before disappearing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Explaining the Clovis Tradition:
The Clovis tradition refers to an ancient culture of hunter-gatherers that lived across North America approximately 13,000 years ago. Characterized by their unique fluted stone points, known as Clovis points, these tools were part of a Clovis toolkit for hunting, which also included hand axes and implements made from bone. Originating near what is now Clovis, New Mexico the Clovis people were highly mobile, settling at resource-rich locations in moderate populations and known for their craftsmanship in stone tool production.
These tools were essential for hunting large game such as mammoths and mastodons. Despite their widespread presence in North America the Clovis culture was relatively short-lived, as it disappeared after a few centuries. Their legacy remains significant however as they contributed to the spread of human populations across the continent, adapting their lifestyles and creating new cultures in various environments, from the plains to the woodlands. This extensive homogeneity of the Clovis culture is key evidence of their widespread influence during this prehistoric era.