Essay on Pre-Columbian civilizations - 1533 Words

Long before any white man ever set foot in this hemisphere, there were fully functional and highly developed societies here. These civilizations were sophisticated, could even be considered more advanced than the European nations at the time. While the rest of the Eastern world was in the dark Middle Ages, the people here were flourishing. The Aztecs were the Native American people who dominated northern Mà ©xico at the time of the Spanish conquest led by Hernan CORTES in the early 16th century. According to their own legends, they originated from a place called Aztlan, somewhere in north or northwest Mexico. At that time the Aztecs (who referred to themselves as the Mexica or Tenochca) were a small, nomadic, Nahuatl-speaking aggregation†¦show more content†¦The Maya were also a farming society like the Aztecs. They too, worshiped many gods, whom they felt were responsible for their survival. Gods of rain, wind, and sun were among the ones most worshiped. Mayan leaders went to war to try and capture the ruler of another city. If they did they would sacrifice the prisoner, again much like the Aztecs (Mexico). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Mayans created many things to affect the world. They created a 365 day calendar. They also made great strides in mathematics and astronomy. They used the number zero, which was very advanced for their time period. The astronomers were able to tell what day of the week a date would fall on in future years (Encarta). And they were able to calculate the length of years of other planets with remarkable precision given the instruments they had to work with (Mexico). Contrary to popular belief, the Mayan civilization was not one unified empire, but rather a multitude of separate entities with a common cultural background. Similar to the Greeks, they were religiously and artistically a nation, but politically sovereign states. As many as twenty such states existed on the Yucatan Peninsula, but although a woman has, on rare occasions, ascended to the ruling position, she has never acquired the title of mah kina (one of the highest titles that can be achieved)(Encarta). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Music was central to bothShow MoreRelatedâ€Å"the Application of Mathematics in Pre-Columbian Civilizations†2095 Words   |  9 Pagesunprecedented discoveries in the fields of mathematics and science. Among all the civilizations of time, those of the Pre-Columbian Era seem to have successfully applied mathematical concepts, mainly geometry and algebra, in a somewhat uncanny manner. One cannot all but question how engineers of today’s time, men and women with almost limitless resources, suffer periodic setbacks, while structures of the primitive Pre-Columbians have remained largely intact up until the present day. Clearly no one can compareRead MoreComparing Evidence of Both Norse and African Presence in the Pre Columbian Americas2401 Words   |  10 PagesIn pre- Columbian America there is evidence to show that there were both Norse and African presence present before the arrival of Christopher Columbus’ maiden voyage in 1492. The pre sence of the Africans was first stated by Christopher Columbus himself in his voyage diaries, which he claimed was told to him by an Indian on his second voyage. This was later solidified by Portuguese seamen who also told of African navigation to Columbus. On the other hand the Nordic Movement into pre- Columbian AmericaRead MoreArt : The Art Of Art1631 Words   |  7 Pagesthe very early 16th. The end of this period of art is notably marked by the untimely arrival of the notorious western explorer Christopher Columbus’ landing in the Americas. The European discovery and exploration, or conquests of the Americas pre-Columbian art flourished all throughout both the northern and southern continents. This for many of the cultures was their primary form of visual expression, because many but not these early American cultures dished not yet developed complex or even simpleRead MoreHistory And Development Of Mesoamerica1934 Words   |  8 Pagesâ€Å"America’s Pre-Columbian populations evolved into highly developed communities which by the time of the European invasion and conquest in the 16th century had engendered some of the world’s most highly evolved civilizations, in both North and South America.† Module 4 states that â€Å"Shortly after Columbus arrived in the Caribbean in 1492-1493, other Europeans made their way to various parts of America, but in the process they unwittingly brought Eurasian disease pathogens to which America’s Pre-ColumbianRead MoreTaking a Look at the Inca Civilizaiton16 99 Words   |  7 PagesTHE INCA CIVILIZATION Inca, the word is derived from Inti, the sun god, was one of the largest and oldest Pre-Columbian civilization extending from Ecuador in north to whole of Chile in south. The region is predominantly known as Andean region and is modern day Peru, with official language being Quechua. They had their own flag which is a very impressive thing about this civilization because flags gained prominence only in 17th-18th century. Incas were the most powerful Empire in that region rulingRead MoreThe Mayan Civilization And The Maya Empire1677 Words   |  7 Pages The Mayan civilization or the Maya Empire, centered in the tropical lowlands of what is now Guatemala, reached the peak of its power and influence around the sixth century A.D. The Maya excelled at agriculture, pottery, hieroglyph writing, calendar-making and mathematics, and left behind an astonishing amount of impressive architecture and symbolic artwork. Most of the great stone cities of the Maya were abandoned by A.D. 900. The Ma ya civilization was one of the most dominant indigenous societiesRead MoreMaya Ceramics Essay1018 Words   |  5 PagesThere are many different types of styles and cultures that affect the work of ceramics. One type of culture that was very interesting was the Pre-Columbian Maya culture of Mesoamerica. The natural environment that the Mayans lived in offered a wealth of materials and ideas to give works of beautiful art. â€Å"The Maya used ceramics every day, small cups for drinking vessels, tall cylinders for storing and pouring ritual beverages, and plates for all sorts of delicious foodstuffs, from tamales to corncakesRead MoreHistory, Tradition And Culture, Mexico1673 Words   |  7 Pagesover the centuries, evidence of past cultures and events are apparent everywhere in Mexico. Many of Mexico’s rural areas are still inhabited by indigenous people whose lifestyles are quite similar to those of their ancestors. In addition, many pre-Columbian ruins still exist through out Mexico, including the ancient city of Teotihuacà ¡n and the Mayan pyramids at Chichà ©nItzà ¡ and Tulum. Reminders of the colonial past are evident in the architecture of towns like Taxco and Querà ©tar. HISTORY EARLY HISTORYRead MoreResearch on Quinoa938 Words   |  4 Pagesbut associated with pastoral herding as far back as 7,000 years ago (Kolata, 2006). Sometimes, simple things have a major impact on the future of humanity and the concept of civilization. This view holds that human history did not evolve in a vacuum, the conquest of the New World was not because of a better civilization, or that certain countries developed in differing capacities. Instead, it is smaller things like the domestication of certain animals combined with climate that aided EuropeansRead MoreThe United States History During The World History887 Words   |  4 Pagesdirectly between the United States and Soviet Union. They are different in economy and politics which are communist and capitalist. When taking History 1301 course, I am really interested when I have an opportunity to exam American history from pre-Columbian to Civil War. I knew that the 13 colonies created a war to gain freedom from the Great Britain. However, I do not know the reasons why they had to left England to come to the New World, the United States. Now after reviewing Unit 1, I know they