Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Pre-Columbian South America refers to the time period before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas. It encompasses various indigenous cultures that existed in South America, such as the Inca, Moche, and Nazca civilizations.