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Recent studies indicate that Native Americans had already settled and made use of the extensive territories of the Americas before Europeans arrived in 1491, sparking discussions on their advanced history prior to contact with Europeans. Archaeologists, historians, and writers such as Charles C. Mann, author of 1491: New Revelations of The Americas Before Columbus, are actively engaged in resolving this ongoing debate.
It is evident that Indians had a history during the Pre-Columbian era based on accounts of Indian politics, beliefs, and agriculture.
Political structures were present in many Indian societies, similar to those found in Europe. Mann highlights the example of the Inka Empire, which required a political system to govern such a large empire. In 1491, the Inka Empire was even larger than Ming Dynasty China, Ivan the Great's expanding Russia, Songhay in the Sahel, or powerful Great Zimbabwe.
The Ottoman Empire, the Triple Alliance, and other American political systems were all subject to corruption. An old Inka tale tells of a presiding Inka killing one son to secure power for another.
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The presence of bias in European and Indigenous accounts shows that pre-1491 Americas had established political systems. Native Americans were not just land occupants, as shown by their development of agriculture.
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Historians and others have commonly believed that Europeans arriving in the “New Land” encountered a pristine and bountiful gift from God. However, newly discovered evidence, as detailed in the book 1491, suggests that Native Americans managed the land just as well, if not better, than Europeans.
According to Mann, Native American groups like the Mayans of Mesoamerica, the Inca of Peru, and the eastern tribes of North America made various alterations to American land. One significant method employed by Native Americans to care for the land was through the deliberate use of forest fires.
The forest fires were beneficial for the land, sparking new growth and providing food for both Native Americans and animals. Native Americans utilized American soil for farming various crops like maize and squash during the Neolithic Revolution, demonstrating their ability to build civilizations. This history proves that complex societies existed in the Americas prior to European arrival in 1491.
Native American ideas, religions, and philosophies offer a unique perspective on the complex cultures of Pre-Columbian societies. Beliefs are a common thread among all civilizations, as humans rely on a sense of purpose to function. One debated belief in Native American cultures is the concept of life after death. In his book, Mann highlights a poem dedicated to a Mesoamerican figure that explores the question, “What happens when we die?” The poem suggests that we will be erased like a painting, providing a possible answer to this eternal question.
Evidence of Pre-Columbian art, including masks and totem poles, showcases the advancements in Native American concepts. The use of vibrant colors and numerous symbols has helped historians reconstruct different aspects of Native American life. Native American art, with its focus on ideas beyond mere survival, indicates the presence of a historical consciousness. Despite some disagreements, there is clear evidence that Native Americans had a history due to factors like governance, agriculture, and complex thinking.
This information is important because it challenges previous misconceptions about Native Americans before Columbus's arrival. For many years, historians and archaeologists believed that Native Americans were seen as naive occupants of the desirable lands of the Americas, a perception known as "Holmberg's Mistake". This new data redefines the concept of "American History" and shifts the focus away from the ambitions of Europeans.
Historians are divided by the emergence of new ideas and historical facts, which challenge the traditional belief that Native American history began with the arrival of Europeans in 1491. Charles C. Mann's book, "1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus", explores this ongoing debate, arguing that Native Americans were perceived to have a limited history because of their minimal resource utilization, lack of firm beliefs, and inability to maintain their societies.
Before Europeans came, Native Americans couldn't make the most of resources in the Americas because they weren't mentally capable. Archaeologists and historians found evidence in great mounds and other physical features, but these were actually natural flood plain deposits that Native Americans altered through daily activities.
Mann also analyzes historians’ puzzlement at the fact that Native Americans used the wheel for children’s toys but did not use it for more practical purposes. Additionally, Mann discusses Holmberg’s belief that the Siriono were prime examples of primitive humanity, living in a raw state of nature. This further demonstrates the perceived incompetence of indigenous Americans, as they were unable to utilize their resources in a more advanced way, leading to a lack of history.
Holmberg also pointed out another unfortunate aspect of Native Americans - their lack of beliefs. Without a clear set of beliefs, it becomes challenging to spread ideas and unite people towards a common objective. This absence of concrete beliefs made it difficult for indigenous populations to establish a cohesive history. As Mann highlighted, "The Siriono, as reported by Holmberg, had almost no religion." This scarcity of crucial morals led many Native Americans to prioritize anything that promised their survival.
When Europeans introduced Native Americans to Christianity, they didn't resist much due to their main goal of survival. Without a strong belief system, it was nearly impossible for Native Americans to shape a coherent history. Additionally, only a few civilizations out of the millions of indigenous people in the Americas before 1491 thrived, making it difficult to create a recorded history.
The Mayan Empire serves as an example of the decline of Native American societies due to their lack of advancements, making them vulnerable to defeat from internal conflicts. According to Mann, “By about 900 A. D., both Mutal and Kaan stood almost empty, along with dozens of other Maya cities." (pg. 280) This suggests that as civilizations crumble, so does their historical legacy, illustrating the challenge for Native Americans to maintain a real history.
Despite controversy, it is now widely understood that Native Americans did not possess a rich history due to their lack of development mentally and culturally, their absence of advanced knowledge, and their struggle to maintain a sophisticated society. This reinforces existing beliefs about the condition of Native Americans prior to the arrival of Columbus.
Historians like Holmberg have educated Americans on details such as these, providing valuable information that gives 2/3 of immigrants to America a sense of pride and credits them with contributing to the development of the Americas in the modern era. American history rightly focuses on the impact of European ambitions due to the lack of historical presence of Native Americans.
Work Cited: Mann, Charles C. 1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus. New York: Knopf, 2005. Print.
POWERED BY TCPDF (WWW.TCPDF.ORG).
Reevaluating Native American History Before Columbus. (2017, Jan 09). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/1491-the-americas-before-columbus-essay
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