This paper summarizes the current archaeological, physiographic, demographic, molecular, and bioarchaeological understanding of the initial peopling and subsequent population dynamics of South America. Well-dated sites point to a colonization by relatively few broad-spectrum foragers from northeastern Asia between ~13,000 and 12,000 cal BC via the Panamanian Peninsula. By ~11,500–11,000 cal BC, a number of regional, specialized bifacial technologies were developed, with evidence for the seasonal scheduling of resources and the colonization of extreme environments. Restricted mobility, landscape modification, and the cultivation of domesticates were underway by ~8000 cal BC. The early migration routes followed by colonists resulted in a broad east-west population structure among ancient South Americans. Genetic, demographic, and skeletal morphological data indicate that a subsequent demographically driven dispersal into South America largely replaced preexisting central Andeans ~5000 BC, due to increased fertility associated with the shift to agriculture. Beyond the Andes, however, there is little evidence of impact of these later expansions on foragers and horticulturists of the Amazon and Southern Cone who were largely descended from Paleoindians and early Holocene populations.

本文总结了当前对南美洲最初的人口分布和随后的人口动态的考古，地理，人口统计学，分子和生物考古的了解。约会得当的地点表明，在大约公元前13,000至12,000 cal BC期间，来自东北亚的较少范围的广谱觅食者通过巴拿马半岛进行了殖民。到大约公元前11,500–11,000 cal，开发了许多区域性的专用双面技术，这些证据证明了资源的季节性调度和极端环境的殖民化。约公元前8000年代，人们开始进行行动不便，景观改造和驯养的种植。殖民者遵循的早期迁徙路线导致了古代南美人中广泛的东西方人口结构。遗传，人口，和骨骼形态数据表明，由于人口向农业转移而导致的生育力提高，随后人口统计学上的驱使扩散到南美洲很大程度上取代了早在公元前5000年的安第斯中部地区。但是，除了安第斯山脉之外，几乎没有证据表明这些后来的扩张对亚马逊和南锥的觅食者和园艺家的影响，这些人主要是古印度人和全新世早期的后裔。