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.