Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

The presence of Native Americans in America predates European arrival by thousands of years, making them the original inhabitants of the continent. They had established diverse cultures, languages, and societies long before European explorers and settlers arrived in the late 15th century. Evidence of their complex social structures, trade networks, and spiritual practices highlights that they were not only present, but had rich histories and lived harmoniously in various ecosystems throughout North America.

The early settlers mentioned in one of the choices refers to European immigrants who came after the arrival of explorers, which does not accurately answer the question. African tribes, while significant in various historical contexts, were not the original inhabitants of America prior to European contact. European explorers arrived after Native Americans had already been living in the land for thousands of years, so their presence is not relevant to the question of who lived in America first.