Indigenous Americas

Definition

Indigenous Americas refers to the native cultures and civilizations that inhabited North, Central, and South America before European colonization. These indigenous peoples had distinct languages, customs, religions, social structures, and artistic traditions.

Related terms

Pre-Columbian civilizations: Pre-Columbian civilizations refer to advanced societies that thrived in the Americas before Christopher Columbus's arrival in 1492. These include iconic civilizations such as the Maya, Aztec, Inca, Olmec, and many others.

Shamanism:

Shamanism is a spiritual practice found among many indigenous cultures worldwide. In Indigenous American societies specifically, shamans played crucial roles as healers, spiritual guides, and intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds.

Petroglyphs: Petroglyphs are rock carvings or engravings made by indigenous peoples. They often depict symbols, animals, or human figures and provide insights into ancient cultures' beliefs and daily life.