pre-columbian latin america mr. ornstein. what is pre-columbian? pre-columbian refers to the history...

Pre-Columbian Latin America

MR. Ornstein

What is Pre-Columbian?

• Pre-Columbian Refers to the history of Latin America before 1492.

• History of the Native People of the Americas

• What is the significance of the year 1492?

The Encounter

• 1492 is the Encounter.• 1492 Columbus Arrives in the Americas.

• Symbolic for the Arrival of the Europeans in the Americas.

What is Latin America???

• 4 Areas Make Up the Region of Latin America:

MexicoCentral AmericaSouth AmericaCaribbean/West

Indies

Pre-Columbian Latin America

• Advanced Societies Existed in Latin America Before the arrival of the Europeans

• Olmec• Mayans• Aztecs• Incas

How did People get to the Americas???

• Asian Nomads• Possibly 40,000 years ago• Bering Strait/Land Bridge• Boats

Population of the Americas

• Historians now believe the population of Pre-Columbian Latin America was much higher than originally thought.

• Diseases brought by Europeans killed off most of the population

Mesoamerica

• Is the region extending from central Mexico south to the northwestern border of Costa Rica.

• Olmec, Maya, Aztec

Achievements of Mesoamerica

Math• Astronomy• Pyramids• Medicine• Writing• Calendar• Arts• Agriculture• Complex Religion• Fine Art

Achievements of the Inca

• Mountains of Peru• Terrace Farming• Urban Centers in

the Mountains• Advanced System

of Roads.

What Happened to the Mayans?

• Like Harappan civilization there is no definite cause.

• Overpopulation• Foreign Invasion• Peasant Revolt• Collapse of Trade• Climate change• Disease• Water Shortages• Decreased Agricultural Production

What Happened to the Aztecs and the Incas

• The Aztecs and the Incas were conquered by the Spanish.

• Spain conquered most of Latin America.

• The Spanish Language and Catholic Religions are examples of Spanish Influence