Native American Cultures and Civilizations

Land Bridge

The "land bridge" refers to the Bering Land Bridge (Beringia), a landmass that once connected Asia and North America during the last Ice Age.

Hohokam

An ancient Native American culture centered in present-day Arizona, known for sophisticated irrigation systems.

Anasazi

An ancient Native American culture located in the Four Corners region, known for cliff dwellings and kivas.

Pueblos

Descendants of the Anasazi and other ancient cultures of the Southwestern United States, characterized by multi-story adobe structures.

Adena-Hopewell

Refers to two pre-Columbian Native American cultures in the Ohio River Valley, known for earthen mounds.

Woodland Mound Builders

Native American groups in the Eastern United States who built earthen mounds for various purposes during the Woodland period.

Mayas

A Mesoamerican civilization known for hieroglyphic script, astronomy, mathematics, and architectural achievements.

Aztecs

A powerful Mesoamerican civilization known for military prowess, religious practices, and human sacrifices.

Incas

A South American civilization known for its road system, terrace farming, and architectural structures like Machu Picchu.

Corn (Maize)

A staple crop domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica, fundamental to many Native American societies.

Algonquian

A group of Native American tribes speaking Algonquian languages, originally living in the northeastern and Great Lakes regions.

Siouan

A family of Native American languages spoken by various tribes across the central United States, including the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota peoples.

Longhouses

Long, narrow, single-room buildings used by some Native American tribes, particularly in the Northeastern United States.

Iroquois Confederation

A powerful alliance of six Native American nations located in present-day New York state, influential in diplomacy and interactions with European settlers.