Pre Columbian Americas | World History | Khan Academy

Khan Academy
27 Jan 201707:41
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video script explores the rich history of human settlement in the Americas, dating back to 15,000 years ago with evidence of early agricultural development around 7,000 to 9,000 years ago. It debunks the myth that the Americas were sparsely populated by hunter-gatherers before European colonization, highlighting that the population was estimated to be between 50 to 100 million at the time, comparable to 10-20% of the global population. The script delves into the advanced civilizations such as the Aztecs, Mayans, Incas, and others like the Mississippian culture and Cahokia, which had sophisticated cultures and dense population centers. It also mentions the Olmec and Chavin cultures, and the Caral civilization, which is considered by some as the first civilization with evidence of maritime culture and Quipus knots as a form of writing. The narrative emphasizes the significant decline in the indigenous population due to European colonization and diseases, leading to a drastic reduction from 50 to 100 million to around six million by 1650, a tragic loss of a complex and diverse set of civilizations.

Takeaways
  • 🌍 The first humans are believed to have settled in the Americas around 15,000 to 16,000 years ago, coming from northeast Asia via the Bering Land Bridge during the last glaciation period.
  • 🏞️ Archaeological evidence shows human presence in southern Chile and Florida as early as 14,500 years ago, indicating a significant migration and settlement period in the Americas.
  • 🌾 The development of agriculture in the Americas began around seven to nine thousand years ago, paralleling the emergence of agriculture in other parts of the world.
  • 🗺️ The misconception that the Americas were sparsely populated by hunter-gatherer nomadic people before European colonization is incorrect; modern estimates suggest a population of 50-100 million at the time of Columbus' arrival.
  • 📈 At the time of European colonization around 1500, the population of the Americas was approximately 10-20% of the world's total population, indicating a comparable population density to other continents.
  • 🏙️ Significant cities existed in the pre-Columbian era, including advanced civilizations like the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas, which had complex social and urban structures.
  • 🏰 The Mississippian culture in North America, with its city of Cahokia near St. Louis, had a population of 40,000 at its peak, rivaling many cities worldwide at the time.
  • 📜 The Olmec and Chavin cultures, among others, represent sophisticated civilizations in the Americas with a long history, comparable to those in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and China.
  • ✍️ The Caral civilization, dating back to the 4th millennium BCE, is considered by some as the first civilization, with evidence of a maritime culture and possible early form of writing through Quipus knots.
  • 📉 The population of the Americas declined drastically from 50-100 million to about six million within 150 years after European colonization, due to a combination of intentional extermination and unfamiliar diseases.
  • 🕊️ The decline of the indigenous populations and the loss of their complex and diverse cultures represent a significant chapter in history that challenges the notion that the Americas were less developed before European contact.
Q & A

  • When is it believed that the first humans began to settle in the Americas?

    -It is believed that the first humans began to settle in the Americas about 15 to 16,000 years ago.

  • What is the mainstream theory about how the first humans arrived in the Americas?

    -The mainstream theory suggests that the first humans arrived from northeast Asia across the Bering Strait during the last glaciation period when sea levels were lower, and a land bridge known as the Bering Land Bridge connected the two continents.

  • What is the earliest archaeological evidence of human presence in the Americas?

    -The earliest archaeological evidence of human presence in the Americas dates back to about 14,500 years ago in both southern Chile and Florida.

  • When did the development of agriculture begin in the Americas?

    -The first evidence of the development of agriculture in the Americas is about seven to nine thousand years ago, which coincides with the emergence of agriculture in other parts of the world.

  • What is a significant misconception about the population and lifestyle of the Americas before European colonization?

    -A significant misconception is that the Americas were sparsely populated by mainly hunter-gatherer nomadic people before European colonization. In reality, there were sophisticated civilizations with dense population centers.

  • What was the estimated population of the Americas at the time of European colonization?

    -The modern estimates of the population of the Americas at the time of European colonization, around 1500, is between 50 and 100 million people.

  • How does the population density of the Americas before European colonization compare to other continents?

    -The population density of the Americas before European colonization was not significantly different from that of other continents, given that the Americas make up about one third of the world's landmass.

  • Which ancient civilizations were present in the pre-Columbian era in the Americas?

    -In the pre-Columbian era, significant civilizations in the Americas included the Aztecs, the Mayan civilization, and the Inca Empire.

  • What is the Mississippian culture known for?

    -The Mississippian culture, present in North America, is known for its famous city of Cahokia, which had a population of around 40,000 people at its peak.

  • What is unique about the Caral civilization in terms of its development?

    -The Caral civilization, located on the coast of Peru, is unique because it was a maritime culture that developed around the 4th millennium BCE, and some archaeologists consider it the first civilization. It is known for its pyramids and the use of Quipus knots, which were a form of record-keeping.

  • What happened to the population of the Americas after the arrival of Europeans?

    -After the arrival of Europeans, the population of the Americas declined significantly from an estimated 50 to 100 million to roughly six million by around 1650. This decline was due to a combination of intentional extermination and the introduction of diseases to which the native populations had no immunity.

  • How does the script challenge the common perception of the Americas before European colonization?

    -The script challenges the common perception that the Americas were less developed and less populated before European colonization by providing evidence of complex civilizations, agriculture, writing, and large population centers that existed in the Americas well before the arrival of Europeans.

Outlines
00:00
🌿 Early Settlement and Agricultural Development in the Americas

The first humans are believed to have settled in North and South America around 15,000 to 16,000 years ago, likely migrating from northeast Asia via the Bering Strait during the last glaciation period. Archaeological evidence supports human presence in southern Chile and Florida as early as 14,500 years ago. The development of agriculture in the Americas is dated to approximately seven to nine thousand years ago, coinciding with its emergence in other parts of the world. The misconception that the Americas were sparsely populated by hunter-gatherer nomads prior to European colonization is debunked by modern estimates suggesting a population of 50-100 million people at the time, which was about 10-20% of the world's population. Significant cities and complex civilizations, such as the Aztec, Mayan, and Inca Empires, existed before Columbus's arrival in 1492, with advanced social structures and cultural achievements.

05:01
🏙️ Civilizations and Population Decline Post-European Colonization

The video script discusses the advanced civilizations in the Americas, including the Mississippian culture and the city of Cahokia, which had a population of 40,000 at its peak. It emphasizes that these civilizations were not just composed of hunter-gatherers but had sophisticated cultures and dense population centers, similar to ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and China. The oldest known civilization in Mesoamerica, the Olmec, and the Chavin culture in the Andes are also highlighted. The script challenges the notion that the Americas were less developed before European contact, pointing out that agriculture, complex civilizations, and even forms of writing, like the Quipus knots, were well-established. However, following European colonization, there was a drastic decline in the population from 50-100 million to around six million by 1650, due to a combination of intentional extermination and unfamiliar diseases, leading to a significant loss of the diverse and complex indigenous cultures.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Bering Land Bridge
The Bering Land Bridge refers to a land connection that existed between northeast Asia and North America during the last glaciation period when sea levels were lower. It is believed to have allowed the first humans to migrate into the Americas approximately 15,000 to 16,000 years ago. This concept is central to understanding the early human settlement in the Americas and is a key part of the video's discussion on the history of human migration.
💡Agriculture
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock for food, fiber, and other products. In the context of the video, the development of agriculture in the Americas about seven to nine thousand years ago is highlighted as a significant milestone that coincides with the emergence of agriculture in other parts of the world. This development is indicative of the progress and sophistication of the civilizations that existed in the Americas before European colonization.
💡European Colonization
European Colonization refers to the period beginning in the late 15th century when Europeans, led by Christopher Columbus in 1492, started to explore and establish colonies in the Americas. The video discusses this as a pivotal moment that led to a significant misconception about the pre-existing population and civilizations in the Americas. It also touches upon the drastic population decline following colonization due to both intentional actions and the introduction of new diseases.
💡Population Density
Population density is a measure of how closely people are settled in an area. The video corrects the misconception that the Americas were sparsely populated by highlighting that at the time of European colonization, the population was estimated to be between 50 to 100 million people, which was about 10 to 20% of the world's population at that time. This indicates a substantial population density comparable to other continents.
💡Aztecs
The Aztecs, or more specifically the Mexica people, were a Mesoamerican civilization that thrived in central Mexico before the arrival of the Europeans. They are known for their rich culture and advanced city-states. The video uses the Aztecs as an example of the sophisticated civilizations that existed in the pre-Columbian era, challenging the notion that the Americas were only inhabited by hunter-gatherer nomadic people.
💡Mayan Civilization
The Mayan civilization is one of the longest-lasting and most advanced cultures in history, known for its hieroglyphic writing system and significant contributions to art, architecture, and astronomy. The video mentions the Mayans as part of the complex and diverse civilizations that were present in the Americas before European contact, emphasizing the advanced nature of these societies.
💡Inca Empire
The Inca Empire was a large empire in South America that was the largest state in the world at the time of its existence. Known for its intricate social structures and monumental architecture, the Inca are presented in the video as an example of the advanced civilizations that were present in the Americas. The mention of the Inca Empire serves to illustrate the scale and complexity of pre-Columbian societies.
💡Mississippian Culture
The Mississippian culture was a pre-Columbian civilization in what is now the United States, particularly around the Mississippi River. The video highlights Cahokia, a major city of the Mississippian culture, which had a population of around 40,000 at its peak. This serves as an example of the large, complex societies that existed in North America, contradicting the idea of a sparsely populated continent.
💡Olmec Civilization
The Olmec civilization is one of the oldest known in Mesoamerica, with artifacts and remnants indicating a highly developed culture. The video uses the Olmec as an example to show that advanced civilizations existed in the Americas long before European colonization, with a timeline similar to ancient civilizations in other parts of the world.
💡Chavin Culture
The Chavin culture was a pre-Columbian civilization that developed in the Andes, near modern-day Peru. The video briefly mentions this culture as part of the diverse array of civilizations that existed in the Americas, each with its own unique cultural and social structures, further emphasizing the complexity and diversity of pre-Columbian societies.
💡Caral Civilization
The Caral civilization, located on the central coast of Peru, is considered by some archaeologists to be the first civilization in the Americas. Known for its maritime culture and the development of quipus (knot records), the Caral civilization is highlighted in the video as an example of early complex societies that had a significant impact on the region's development. The mention of Caral challenges the common misconception that complex civilizations only emerged after European contact.
💡Quipus
Quipus are a system of knotted strings used by ancient Andean civilizations, including the Incas, for record-keeping and possibly as a form of writing. The video mentions quipus as an example of the advanced organizational and communication systems developed by pre-Columbian civilizations, which were capable of complex record-keeping and administration.
Highlights

The first humans are believed to have settled in the Americas around 15 to 16,000 years ago.

The mainstream theory suggests that early settlers arrived from northeast Asia via the Bering Strait during the last glaciation period.

Archaeological evidence indicates human presence in southern Chile and Florida as early as 14,500 years ago.

The development of agriculture in the Americas is dated to approximately seven to nine thousand years ago, coinciding with its emergence elsewhere in the world.

The population of the Americas at the time of European colonization was estimated to be between 50 to 100 million people.

At the time of Columbus's arrival in 1492, the Americas were not sparsely populated but had significant cities and complex civilizations.

The Aztec, Mayan, and Inca Empires were among the sophisticated civilizations with complex social structures in place before European colonization.

The Mississippian culture in North America had a city, Cahokia, with a population of around 40,000 at its peak.

The Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica is one of the oldest known, with artifacts indicating a developed culture.

The Chavin culture in the Andes had significant influence, as evidenced by its remnants and artifacts.

The Caral civilization is considered by some archaeologists as the first civilization, with a maritime culture and evidence of surplus crops and specialized labor force.

The Quipus knots, used by the Incas, are viewed by many archaeologists as a form of writing and record-keeping.

The European colonization led to a significant decline in the population of the Americas from 50 to 100 million to around six million by 1650.

The decline is attributed to both intentional extermination and the introduction of unfamiliar diseases by the Europeans.

The Americas had a diverse set of populations with thousands of tribes, each with unique cultures, languages, traditions, and religions.

The transcript challenges the misconception that the Americas were not as developed or populated as other continents prior to European contact.

The existence of complex civilizations and writing systems in the Americas predates European colonization.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Pre-ColumbianIndigenous CulturesAgricultural OriginsCivilization DevelopmentBering Land BridgeMississippian CultureAztec EmpireMayan CivilizationInca EmpireOlmec ArtifactsChavin CultureCaral CivilizationQuipus KnotsPopulation DeclineEuropean ColonizationArchaeological EvidenceAncient WritingMaritime CultureLand Bridge Theory