Description
1491: The Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann challenges the traditional narrative about the pre-Columbian Americas and presents a compelling portrait of the indigenous civilizations that thrived long before European contact. Drawing from recent archaeological and anthropological research, Mann argues that the Americas were far more densely populated, culturally rich, and technologically advanced than previously believed.
The book explores the lives of Native American societies across North, Central, and South America, including the Maya, Inca, and Mississippian cultures. Mann reveals that these civilizations had complex cities, sophisticated agricultural systems, and deep environmental knowledge that shaped their landscapes in lasting ways. He also addresses myths about untouched wilderness, showing how indigenous peoples actively managed and transformed their environments.
1491 weaves history, science, and storytelling to paint a vivid picture of a world that was not a sparsely inhabited wilderness, but a dynamic and diverse collection of societies. It invites readers to reconsider long-held assumptions and to appreciate the scale and significance of indigenous achievements prior to European arrival.
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