Pre-Columbian Americas

See

pre-pottery Andean civilization[edit | edit source]

west-slope of the Andes
changes in elevation within close proximity
- provided multiple ecological environments
- variety of
- access to the ocean
population growth along three river valleys
- Fortaleza, Pativilca, Caral-Supe rivers

the oldest city in the Americas is "Caral-Supe" or "Caral" in Peru
- "Caral" is the city
- "Supe" = the valley
built approx. 3,000 BC
- contemporaneous (same time) with Ancient Egypt
population was approx, 3,000
- other similar sites suggest overall regional population of up to 20,000
consists of ceremonial, monumental and administrative buildings/ structures
city layout shows signs of social classes
- large residential complexes near to ceremonial structures
- small rooms in other areas
built pyramids
created the pattern of urban design in the Andes through to the Inca
shows no signs of warfare of defensive structures

earthquakes
wind-blown sand and sediment from wind shift towards inland from the sea
- disrupted agriculture
- disrupted fisheries

Metallurgy in pre-Columbian Americas per region:
- North America: no smelting
  - copper readily available, malleable by hammering
- South America developed smelting
- Mesoamerica metallurgy via South American diffusion
see: Metallurgy in pre-Columbian America - Wikipedia
- iron readily available
- gold / silver / copper
  - gold hammered
  - tumbaga: copper-gold alloy
    - used for casting
- gems used extensively / jade
- obsidian used for edges/ knives/ cutting
  - ability to cut stone
  - but not wood
- - source: The Minerals of Pre-Columbian America | Rock & Gem Magazine (rockngem.com)
- - Andes region alloy use
    - tin used for specific but not general purposes >> "wirework bells"
      - tin deposits avail, not exploited
  - copper smelting in drafted furnaces
  - mercury
  - platinum developed in Andes region
    - copper, gold, silver alloys
    - technology adopted by Spanish
  - sinnabar
- wood less useful
  - charcoal not developed
  - planks not exploited for buildings / ships