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pre-Columbian Civilizations
pre-Columbian civilizations, the aboriginal American Indian cultures that evolved in Mesoamerica (part of Mexico and Central America) and the Andean region (western South America) prior to Spanish exploration and conquest in the 16th century. The pre-Columbian civilizations were extraordinary developments in human society and culture, ranking with the early civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia ...
Mesoamerican Civilization Summary
Mesoamerican civilization, Complex of aboriginal cultures that developed in parts of Mexico and Central America before the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.This civilization and the Andean civilization in South America constituted a New World counterpart to those of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China. Humans have been present in Mesoamerica from as early as 21,000 bc; a shift from ...
Mesoamerican Indian
Mesoamerican Indian, member of any of the indigenous peoples inhabiting Mexico and Central America (roughly between latitudes 14° N and 22° N).. Mesoamerican Indian cultures have a common origin in the pre-Columbian civilizations of the area. The three largest linguistic groups are the Mayan, the Otomanguean, and the Uto-Aztecan. Mayan peoples, with the exception of a northeastern enclave ...