Ancient Civilizations of the AmericasAncient Civilizations of the Americas
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Book, 2001
Current format, Book, 2001, , No Longer Available.Book, 2001
Current format, Book, 2001, , No Longer Available. Offered in 0 more formatsThe 'salmon-fishers' of North America, the nomadic tribes of the great central plains, and the highly cultured civilizations of Mesoamerica and the Andes are integral components of an extraordinary time in history.
In ancient North and South America extraordinary civilizations rose, flourished, and fell. The Mayan pyramids and the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru and Teotihuacan in Mexico remain a testament to these cultures. Ancient Civilizations of the Americas tells this remarkable story-beginning when humans first ventured from Asia to Alaska more than 13,000 years ago and ending with the Indian Wars of the nineteenth century. The book traces the migration of people across North and South America, and investigates the impressive artistic and architectural achievements that followed. Civilizations emerged with well-established religions and economies, proven agricultural methods and trade routes, and craftsmen capable of producing gold, silver, and pottery artifacts of sublime beauty. By 500 BC sophisticated societies had developed as far south as Peru and by AD 500 these cultures, including the Maya of modern Mexico and Guatemala, had reached an age of maturity. The late fourteenth century saw the rise of the great imperial powers of the Aztecs in Mexico and the Inca in the Andes -- both highly organized societies with efficient bureaucracies, capable of casting the net of imperial rule over huge swathes of territory. In the end, however, the civilizations of the Americas faced a challenge different from any they had met before: the arrival of European colonists, starting with the Spanish conquistadors in the sixteenth century. Much was swept away in the often brutal encounters that followed. Yet much also survived -- ancient crafts and customs and the remains of engineering and architectural marvels, all speaking unforgettably of these cultures' astonishing skills and organization.
The 'salmon-fishers' of North America, the nomadic tribes of the great central plains, and the highly cultured civilizations of Mesoamerica and the Andes are integral components of an extraordinary time in history. Beginning with the emergence of the first civilizations around 1200 BC, this book covers one of the most dynamic periods of America's history. As a huntergatherer way of life gave rise to agriculture, the emerging civilizations began producing cultural artefacts such as pottery, metalwork and textiles, which encouraged trade and, ultimately, prosperity. Religion served to unite peoples from diverse regions, but also led to warfare when seizing captives for sacrifice. This book investigates both the peaceful and violent aspects of ancient American civilizations and uses the most recent information to bring to life these fascinating cultures, some of which flourished until just a few centuries ago.
In ancient North and South America extraordinary civilizations rose, flourished, and fell. The Mayan pyramids and the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru and Teotihuacan in Mexico remain a testament to these cultures. Ancient Civilizations of the Americas tells this remarkable story-beginning when humans first ventured from Asia to Alaska more than 13,000 years ago and ending with the Indian Wars of the nineteenth century. The book traces the migration of people across North and South America, and investigates the impressive artistic and architectural achievements that followed. Civilizations emerged with well-established religions and economies, proven agricultural methods and trade routes, and craftsmen capable of producing gold, silver, and pottery artifacts of sublime beauty. By 500 BC sophisticated societies had developed as far south as Peru and by AD 500 these cultures, including the Maya of modern Mexico and Guatemala, had reached an age of maturity. The late fourteenth century saw the rise of the great imperial powers of the Aztecs in Mexico and the Inca in the Andes -- both highly organized societies with efficient bureaucracies, capable of casting the net of imperial rule over huge swathes of territory. In the end, however, the civilizations of the Americas faced a challenge different from any they had met before: the arrival of European colonists, starting with the Spanish conquistadors in the sixteenth century. Much was swept away in the often brutal encounters that followed. Yet much also survived -- ancient crafts and customs and the remains of engineering and architectural marvels, all speaking unforgettably of these cultures' astonishing skills and organization.
The 'salmon-fishers' of North America, the nomadic tribes of the great central plains, and the highly cultured civilizations of Mesoamerica and the Andes are integral components of an extraordinary time in history. Beginning with the emergence of the first civilizations around 1200 BC, this book covers one of the most dynamic periods of America's history. As a huntergatherer way of life gave rise to agriculture, the emerging civilizations began producing cultural artefacts such as pottery, metalwork and textiles, which encouraged trade and, ultimately, prosperity. Religion served to unite peoples from diverse regions, but also led to warfare when seizing captives for sacrifice. This book investigates both the peaceful and violent aspects of ancient American civilizations and uses the most recent information to bring to life these fascinating cultures, some of which flourished until just a few centuries ago.
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- New York : DK Pub., c2001.
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