TCL 101_Pre-Colonial Period
Page 1: Introduction
Title: Sacred and Unceded: The Pre-Colonial Period
Author: Jesús Cuauhtémoc Villa
Course: TCL 101 - Fall 2024
Page 2: Content Warning
The presentation includes discussions on sensitive topics:
Anti-Blackness
Anti-Indigeneity
Anti-Semitism
Gender-based violence
Genocide
Homophobia
Islamophobia
Medical trauma
Race & Racism
Sexual assault
State violence
Torture
Traumatic death
Transphobia
Xenophobia
Emphasizes that the presentation is challenging but not harmful, allowing breaks if needed.
Page 3: Ways of Knowing
Overview of different perspectives and methodologies in understanding history and cultures.
Page 4: Genetic Evidence
Timeline of Human Migrations:
350 - 200 kya: Appearance of Homo sapiens sapiens.
215 - 80 kya: First migrations out of Africa (failed).
70 - 50 kya: Last major migrations out of Africa (successful).
43 - 36 kya: Expansion into Asia.
36 - 16 kya: Refuge in Beringia (land bridge thrice the size of Texas).
Closed approximately 10 kya.
30 - 13.8 kya: Expansion into the Americas.
Page 5: Entering a Land of Giants
Dama dama/Megaloceros giganteus Size Comparison
Illustration by Heinrich Harder.
Page 6: Archaeological Evidence
Clovis Culture: Previously thought to be the oldest (13,050–12,750 kya).
Evidence of Human Presence:
White Sands footprints: Humans in New Mexico 23 - 21 kya.
Sloth-bone pendants: Brazil 27 - 25 kya.
Monte Verde: Humans in southern Chile 14.5 kya (potentially 18.5 kya).
Page 7: Pseudoscience and Historical Claims
Cerutti Mastodon Site: Claim of butchered remains from 130 kya.
Horses Pre-Columbus: Debate about Indigenous peoples having horses prior to Spanish arrival:
Evidence lacks for H. sapiens presence in Americas before 177-194 kya.
Confirmed: Horses re-introduced by Spanish; some tribes had domestication experience.
Page 8: Trade and Mobility
Trade Networks in the Western Hemisphere:
Connected Plains, Southwest, Mexico, Central America, & Caribbean.
Items traded included shells, turquoise, macaws, and more.
Primary transport methods were by canoe or foot until 1500s-1600s.
Page 9: Indigenous Explosion
Rapid formation of diverse cultures and civilizations:
Check land histories through Native-Land.ca.
Common themes include communalism, gender identities, importance of the number 4, relationships, and self-determined knowledge systems.
Page 10: What Makes a "Civilization?"
Examination of civilization definitions from different perspectives.
Page 11: Defining Civilization
Conventional Definitions:
Complex society, state, social stratification, urbanization, and advanced communication.
Anthropological Definition:
Advanced human communities with developed governance, culture, and norms.
Indigenous Definition:
Recognition of community member's inherent dignity.
Page 12: Civilization and Agriculture
Domestication of Maíz:
Originated in southern Mexico and Guatemala approximately 9 kya, crucial for large-scale civilizations.
Page 13: The Three Sisters
Key Crops in agriculture:
Squash: Cultivated in Oaxaca by at least 8 kya.
Beans: Lima beans in Peru (5.5 kya) and tepary beans in Sonoran Desert (5 kya).
Page 14: Indigenous Place Names
Cultural Names:
Turtle Island: Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
Cēmānāhuac: Nahua Peoples.
Abya Yala: Kuna People.
Tawantinsuyu: Quechua Peoples.
Page 15: Ecological and Cultural Zones
Latinoamérica:
Defined by northern American ecological and cultural zones; refined by anthropologists since 1943.
Page 16: Aridoamerica and Oasisamerica
Settled for ~24,000 years, inhabited by tribes such as Hohokam, Ancestral Puebloans, and Mogollon.
Page 17: Caribbean and Central America
Settled by 6-7 kya in the Caribbean and by 13 kya in Central America, generally small civilizations.
Page 18: Diversity in South America
Settlements as early as 27 kya with civilizations like Caral-Supe (ca. 3500 BCE).
Classification into four main Indigenous groups.
Page 19: Mesoamerica
Settling regions covering Southern North America & Northwestern Central America:
Early sites like "Eva de Naharon" (13.6 kya).
A cradle of civilization and independent writing system.
Page 20: Spotlight on Olmecs
Early Mesoamerican civilization (ca. 1200 - 400 BCE), influential in art, religion, and culture.
Page 21: Ancient Aliens Theory
Discussion on misconceptions regarding ancient civilizations suggested by Europeans.
Page 22: Spotlight on the Aztecs
Nahua Peoples: Historical presence in the Valley of Mexico since ca 1200 CE.
Dominance over many city-states.
Page 23: Aztec Advancements
Mastery in various fields: Medicine, astronomy, technology, and the arts.
Page 24: Misconceptions on Indigenous Slavery
Discussion on Indigenous practices contrasting with European slavery systems.
Page 25: Warfare Misconceptions
Examination of Indigenous warfare, its nature, and how it differs from European models.
Page 26: Human Sacrifice Misconceptions
Comparisons of Indigenous practices of sacrifice versus European practices.
Page 27: Understanding Empire
Differentiation between the concepts of civilization vs. empire, emphasizing historical context.
Page 28: Immigration Effects
Prompting discussions on Native perspectives regarding immigration and borders.
Page 29: Indigenous Excellence
Recognition of significant Indigenous achievements and contributions.
Page 30: Spotlight on Hohokam
Contributions in irrigation and culture from ca 300 CE to 1500 CE.
Page 31: Chaco Canyon
Major trade and ceremonial center, influential between 900 - 1150 CE.
Page 32: Spotlight on the Taíno
Early presence in Caribbean regions with social structures and agricultural practices.
Page 33: Spotlight on the Wari
Pre-Inca Andean Empire known for intricate art and infrastructure; centuries of influence.
Page 34: Spotlight on the Incas
Largest indigenous empire in South America prior to European invasion, known for agricultural innovations.
Page 35: The Maya Civilization
Discussion of major powers and social structures in southeastern Mesoamerica.
Page 36: The Maya Language
Linguistic elements depicted and its historical significance.
Page 37: Spotlight on Teotihuacan
Major power center during the Classic period with significant city planning and cultural achievements.
Page 38: The Mogollon
Characteristics of Mogollon culture and its influence on modern tribes.
Page 39: Sources & Further Reading (Part 1)
A comprehensive list of references and readings on Indigenous cultures and histories.
Page 40: Sources & Further Reading (Part 2)
Continuation of sources relevant to the topics discussed in the presentation.
Page 41: Sources & Further Reading (Part 3)
Final remarks on literature and research materials connecting to Indigenous history and culture.