Who were the first Americans and how did they arrive in the Americas? The settlement of the Americas is one of the most studied and enigmatic topics in Ancient American history and not without controversy. Find out why this simple question is so puzzling to so many scientists and archaeologists.
Finding America: The Arrival of the First Americans (OLD VIDEO)Ancient Americas2020-11-20 | PLEASE WATCH THE MORE RECENT EPISODE FOR MORE UPDATED INFORMATION: youtu.be/ltH3hYsvVq0
Who were the first Americans and how did they arrive in the Americas? The settlement of the Americas is one of the most studied and enigmatic topics in Ancient American history and not without controversy. Find out why this simple question is so puzzling to so many scientists and archaeologists.
Sources and Bibliography: docs.google.com/document/d/1nOniTSm5VaLzLO9FpFIM2PhJ0fkMHqYEGxTG5c-lCyg/edit?usp=sharingThe Polynesian Exchange: Polynesia and South America MeetAncient Americas2024-09-08 | Contact between Polynesia and South America has long been a topic of speculation and debate among scientists. What was once a fringe idea has become more credible than ever. In this episode, we explore the circumstances and evidence around the event that brought these cultures together, the Polynesian Exchange.
Patreon: patreon.com/ancientamericasWest Mexico and the Teuchitlán cultureAncient Americas2024-07-29 | West Mexico is mysterious and often misunderstood. In some ways, a peripheral area and in other ways closely tied to the rest of Mesoamerica, West Mexico is a paradox. The Teuchitlán culture is the best known culture from this area and its beautiful art is a testament to its rich culture. Join us as we explore the Teuchitlán culture!
Introduction: 0:00 West Mexican Origins: 3:41 The Shaft Tomb Tradition: 6:28 Teuchitlán Culture: 13:49 Guachimontones: 20:31 Life in the Teuchitlán Culture: 26:55 West Mexico and Mesoamerica: 31:55 Conclusion: 35:48
Sources and Bibliography: docs.google.com/document/d/1xsDt5BwgtZk8e69ju9TZzNbN2cKoeMNeilDvrzzGQPM/edit?usp=sharingAncient Life on the Great PlainsAncient Americas2024-06-07 | The Great Plains are well-known for their indigenous traditions but also have a rich history that spans over ten thousand years. Contrary to what some people think, the plains were not a backwater but a rich and flourishing area with a diverse array of cultures that drew in outside influence and people and interacted with their neighbors. Join us as we explore the pre-columbian history of the Great Plains. A big thanks to my patrons for selecting this episode topic!
Chapters:
Introduction: 0:00 Paleoindians on the Plains: 5:42 Archaic Plains Period: 14:43 Plains Woodland: 24:14 Plains Village Period: 32:58 Conclusion: 50:22
They Were Just in the Way | Indian Removal: youtu.be/A5P6vJs1jmY?si=EEvPP3xv5f0UHxSdThe First People on the Great Plains #shorts #ancienthistory #clovis #greatplainsAncient Americas2024-06-05 | ...Indigenous History of the Great Plains #shorts #history #ancienthistoryAncient Americas2024-06-04 | ...Bison, People, and PlainsAncient Americas2024-04-19 | Bison are icons of North American wildlife and have always played an important role to the survival of people on the Great Plains. Indigenous people in North America hunted and exploited bison in many incredible ways but also revered and respected these animals. They knew that when the bison thrived, so did they. In this episode, we will discuss the pre-colonial relationship between bison and humans on the Great Plains.
Chapters: Introduction: 0:00 Bison Biology and Uses: 2:16 Early Hunting Strategies: 14:03 Communal Hunting: 18:22 Impacts of Hunting: 34:57 Near Extinction and Recovery: 38:56
Prairie tanks in action: youtube.com/watch?v=L4eOhuLDfeU&ab_channel=BBCEarthThe Muisca: Legends of GoldAncient Americas2024-03-04 | The Muisca are one of Colombia's most famous cultures because of their connection to gold and the legend of El Dorado. But the Muisca were far more complex than goldsmiths and created a flourishing culture. Discover this culture and it's conquest in this video.
ArcheoEd's Video on El Dorado: youtu.be/3deOftwHRbs?si=fO5r9klxHcwFzi7TThe Settlement of the Americas: New DiscoveriesAncient Americas2024-02-01 | The arrival of humans into North and South America is an incredible event that scientists have been trying to illuminate for centuries. Recent discoveries have completely changed our understanding of this topic but have raised more questions.
Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Disclaimers 02:17 Siberian Origins 10:54 Migration into America 13:43 Possible Means of Arrival 20:27 Problems with Migration Models 27:08 Controversies and Alternative Theories 36:12 Conclusion
Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:40 The Cacao Tree 08:36 Early Cacao Use In Mesoamerca 11:24 Maya Cacao Use 16:45 Cacao cultivation and trade in Mesoamerica 20:56 Aztec Cacao Use 23:06 Chocolate in the colonial period 35:45 Etymology of Chocolate 38:50 Conclusion
Chapters: (Previous Chapters here: youtu.be/jpwqq4qIo8o ) Chapter 5: Ruin and Rebirth: Palenque’s Golden Age: 1:02 Chapter 6: The Wild West: 9:15 Chapter 7: Killer Queen: 20:03 Chapter 8: The Wrath of Tikal: 27:48 Chapter 9: Triumph and Turmoil at Copan: 39:38 Chapter 10: Looking North: 49:27
Chapter 11: The Maya Collapse: TBDThe Khipu (knot what you think...)Ancient Americas2023-09-04 | The khipu (quipu) was an indigenous recording device made from knotted cords that were used for many different purposes for centuries. The history of khipus is a fascinating journey through thousands of years of sophistication and refinement. Join us to find out how khipus were used by the Wari and Inca to manage their empires.
Patreon: patreon.com/ancientamericasChaco Canyon and the Chaco PhenomenonAncient Americas2023-07-20 | Chaco Canyon has excited and baffled archaeologists for over a century. What makes one of the most famous and studied archaeological sites so enigmatic? Find out what made the Chaco Phenomenon such a unique moment in ancient history.
Geography: 1:45 Early History: 3:10 Great Houses: 6:03 Economy: 18:39 Outliers: 24:59 Astronomy: 31:59 What was Chaco: 34:50 The End of Chaco Canyon: 40:47 Accountment: 44:00
Dr. Steve Lekson on Chaco Canyon: youtu.be/ZegLg36W6HwThe History of Maya Cities: Part 1Ancient Americas2023-05-31 | The lowland Maya left us hundreds of written inscriptions that recount the history of their cities, their kings and their wars. Let's explore this history in the first of three episodes.
Chapters: Introduction: 0:01 Chapter 1: Dynastic Origins and Classic Beginnings: 6:13 Chapter 2: The Long Shadow of Teotihuacan: 14:36 Chapter 3: A Tale of Two Cities, Tikal and Calakmul: 26:00 Chapter 4: The Calakmul Hegemony: 31:53
AA's favorite presentations and lectures by Simon Martin:
The Urbanized Jungle: Ancient Maya Garden Cities youtu.be/-JTb5r3lITELife in the Classic Maya Period: Majesty and BeautyAncient Americas2023-04-21 | The Maya Classic period is widely considered the golden age of the ancient Maya and saw incredible achievements in art, architecture and science. Let’s explore what made this time period so brilliant and why the classic period continues to fascinate the scholars and public today.
Intro: 0:01 Disclaimers: 1:22 Political Introduction: 3:28 City Organization: 5:03 Maya Kings and Queens: 8:12 Maya Warfare: 11:16 Life for Maya Commoners: 14:58 Maya Religion: 18:48 Maya Art: 22:32 Maya Science: 32:13 Water Management Technology: 34:58 Maya Architecture: 38:23
Chapters: Intro - 00:00 Question 1: Settlement of the Americas - 1:11 Question 2: Polynesian-American contact - 5:00 Question 3: Old Man Yells at Kids These Days - 7:02 Question 4: Pre-Columbian agriculture - 9:56 Question 5: American Diseases - 13:59 Question 6: Pre-Columbian Governments - 16:43 Question 7: Pre-Columbian property rights - 19:07 Question 8: Farthest trade items - 21:35 Question 9: Pre-Columbian Warfare - 23:06 Question 10: Pre-Columbian writing systems - 25:54 Question 11: Why Didn't Maya Script Spread - 27:57 Question 12: PNW Demographics/Genetics - 29:21 Question 13: What got you interested in this - 30:09 Question 14: Why did you create the channel - 31:24 Question 15: "What would you say you do here??" - 32:28 Question 16: If you could go back in time... - 32:40 Question 17: Things that surprised me - 33:30
NOTE: The map of the Northwest coast in this episode is not aligned to North but East. This was done to allow a more detailed map. Apologies for any confusion it may cause.
The lush coast Pacific Northwest is home to some of North America’s most well-known nations who are renowned for their rich culture. Despite never using agriculture, these nations formed vibrant communities with very complex societies. Discover how these cultures developed over thousands of years.
Most people that are aware of the Nazca associate them with the Nazca lines. Not enough people know about their artistic and engineering achievements. Today we take a look at the incredible breadth of Nazca culture and history.
Chapters: Introduction: 0:01 Geography: 1:24 Early Nazca: 2:25 Cahuachi: 5:50 Spiritual Beliefs: 7:30 Music and Material Culture: 9:50 The Nazca Lines: 14:09 Nazca Transformation and Reorganization: 20:13 Nazca Head Hunting: 23:31 Puquios: 26:20 The End of the Nazca: 30:33
Sources and Bibliography: docs.google.com/document/d/1QVNoOAnXI83wB-e0p0wyzJqoEBN6wMgfDDdc4cSxKw0/edit?usp=sharingThe Trouble with ToltecsAncient Americas2022-10-12 | The Toltecs left a lasting legacy on Mesoamerica that is impressive but paradoxical. Were the Toltecs rulers of an empire or products of popular myth? What can history and archaeology tell us about this culture? Discover why the Toltec legacy is so troublesome to pin down.
Sources and Bibliography: docs.google.com/document/d/1P2pwsvZ6v2fkgg_AAAhKIMCXsuI2ZhExnSA5QUMLdyA/edit?usp=sharingDorset Culture and the Arctic OdysseyAncient Americas2022-09-05 | Dorset Culture was the culmination of a brilliant and long-lived pre-Inuit tradition in the Arctic. They overcame a punishing environment to produce exquisite art and a durable way of life. Join us and discover what makes the Dorset culture so fascinating.
Chapters: Introduction: 0:01 Geography: 5:27 Denbigh Flint Complex: 6:43 Eastern Migrations: 10:26 Pre-Dorset Culture: 14:03 Dorset Culture Emergence: 19:40 Dorset Settlements: 24:47 Dorset Art and Material Culture: 27:42 Possible Norse Contact with the Dorset: 34:26 The Arrival of the Thule and the end of Dorset Culture: 36:32
Sources and Bibliography: docs.google.com/document/d/1ZQj2zFdQvL0jyBdvZJEKzO391SQLjqE1eXG0re3Lk2I/edit?usp=sharingThe Incredible Journey of Moncacht Apé Across North AmericaAncient Americas2022-08-04 | Was Moncacht Apé a real person? Did he actually travel the entire breadth of North America? We don't know for sure but it's a heck of a story either way. Explore the incredible account a Yazoo man's journey across an entire continent.
During the 14th century, an empire was founded in Western Mexico that is nearly forgotten today. The Iréchikwa Tzintzuntzani was one of the greatest empires in the Pre-Columbian Americas. Discover what made this empire so unique in Mesoamerica.
Sources and Bibliography: docs.google.com/document/d/1wmxCe9n7hO89udeERTieC-oQ-bwv-J9rrIgG5Z8t7aI/edit?usp=sharingCahokia: Mississippian MetropolisAncient Americas2022-01-31 | Cahokia was the largest city ever built in the pre-columbian United States. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, this city of great mounds and plazas continues to capture our imagination. Join me as I explore the Cahokia in detail and discover how it helped usher in a new Mississippian order across the Eastern United States.
Introduction: 00:00 Big Bang: 6:00 Cahokia site overview: 13:29 Life at Cahokia: 28:16 Cahokian Religion: 31:20 Influence of Cahokia: 34:57 Late Cahokia: 37:54
Sources and Bibliography: docs.google.com/document/d/1ytHr2sGEdI5YImDvd0aTPHxPbGDg_1O0j925N2vfVZs/edit?usp=sharingNezahualcoyotl: Texcoco’s Warrior Poet, Philosopher and KingAncient Americas2021-11-08 | One of Mesoamerica’s most famous rulers cultivated a reputation as a courageous warrior, a talented poet and artist and a wise ruler. He led a life of exile and triumph. Discover the thrilling story of Nezahualcoyotl’s life and why his legacy persists to this day in Mexico.
Special thanks to Aztlan Historian for assisting in research. Thank you to Yan Garcia of the channel CanalNahuatl for all the Nahuatl reading.
Sources and Bibliography: docs.google.com/document/d/1KNHynTHzksSkoHfZI58Qm7ccruUe-2YieOuZoqix6eU/edit?usp=sharingThe Rise of the Maya: Preclassic BrillianceAncient Americas2021-09-23 | Long before the Classic Period of Maya Civilization, great cities, beautiful art and powerful kings were emerging in the Maya region. Often overlooked, the Preclassic period saw the Maya create some of their greatest achievements in history and develop critical components of their culture. Discover how the Maya bloomed late but brilliantly.
William Saturno on the discovery of the San Bartolo Murals: youtube.com/watch?v=nFcugYGf4RQ&ab_channel=LinusPaulingMemorialLectureSeriesMarajoara Culture: How to thrive in the AmazonAncient Americas2021-08-16 | How does a culture thrive in the Amazon? For over half a millennium, Marajoara culture flourished at the mouth of the Amazon river and left the world with some of the most beautiful artwork of the Americas. Discover why this culture was misunderstood and how it’s critical reevaluation in the past 40 years has revolutionized our understanding of the pre-columbian Amazon.
Sources and Bibliography: docs.google.com/document/d/1BC0bcRX5M5JU9tTwYnoqf-b0qsneOciDzYL9nVIgNB0/edit?usp=sharingTeotihuacan: Where One Becomes a GodAncient Americas2021-06-11 | The ancient city of Teotihuacan is one of the greatest cities ever constructed in the Americas. It was a city that was remembered by subsequent cultures long after it was abandoned. Because it was never inhabited again, archaeologists can explore the entire city and try to reconstruct the life and history of this magnificent site. Let’s find out what made Teotihuacan such a spectacular city and culture.
Special thanks to MajoraZ and Hunter Itzkowitz for assisting in research and in photo use. Thank you to Daniel Parada and David Romero for their digital reconstructions. Also thanks to Yan Garcia of the channel CanalNahuatl for all the Nahuatl reading.
Facebook: facebook.com/AncientAmericasMaize: The Engine of American CivilizationAncient Americas2020-10-15 | Maize is one of humanity's most incredible achievements and it allowed Ancient American culture to blossom and thrive. Discover the fascinating story of this plant and how it transformed the Americas.