Travel Guides Crafted by Experienced Archaeologists & Historians

Archaeology Travel Guide North America

North America is, in historical terms, known as the New World. Humanity’s history may very well be younger here than in the Old World, but it is certainly no less fascinating or complex. From the arrival of hunters and gatherers in the west many thousands of years ago, to the few early settlements in the north east established by the Vikings around 1,000 years ago, and then the Europeans from the east starting at the end of the 15th century. North America is a melting pot of cultures and traditions probably like no other. Combine history with city breaks in the east and archaeology with adventure travel in the west.

With lively cities in the east and vast open landscapes in the west, Canada is one of the world’s top ten tourist destinations, with over 20,000 years of history for visitors to explore. Evidence of the continent’s earliest people are in the westernmost Yukon region, while at the eastern end are the remains of the first European settlement in Newfoundland left by the Vikings.

Mexico, part of the Mesoamerican cultural area, is well known for the spectacular pyramids and other monumental ceremonial centres of the Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs. These dominant sites should not overshadow the amazing rock art traditions of older hunting and gathering communities, which can be visited at various locations around the country.

From the scenic woodlands of the east to the dramatic deserts of the west, the histories and cultures of First Nation people are as diverse as the landscape. Histories that were often in conflict with the arrival of settlers from Europe, and the founding of the USA. Some of the best archaeological and historical sites have been recognised for their significance at 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 61 National Parks and 129 National Monuments.