History of the Americas Study Guide spinning globe GIF spinning globe GIF

History of the Americas
Pre-Columbian New World

Introduction

Before Europeans made their way to the Western Hemisphere, a variety of peoples inhabited the Americas. The The Non-European & Non-African "New World" included numeous indigenous cultures, each of which had different political, social, and economic structures. Everyday life before the European "encounter" was far different from what is became after 1492. Among the most well-known peoples in the Americas before the encounter are the Maya and "Aztec" civilizations of Mesoamerica, and the "Incas," situated in the Andes.

Mesoamerican civilizations

The Indigenous Peoples of Mexico are as numerous as the number of Native American nations in the United States. The Pre- Columbian Culture of the Mesoamerican peoples is rich.

Mayan Culture, from their Artwork. to their System of Writing, particularly the Codex Mendoza reveals the sophistication of Mayan language.

Both the Maya and Aztec civilizations stand among the most prominent of the peoples of Mesoamerica.

Andean civilizations

Like their Mesoamerican counterparts, the Cultures of the Andes have had a profound impact on today's life.

Other Online Resources

First University of Guadalajara Web Site
Yahoo! - Social Science:Aboriginal Studies:Meso-American
Aztlan Index
Arte Maya Tz'utuhil Museum & Gallery

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