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During the Last Glacial Maximum, global sea levels were much lower, exposing the Bering Land Bridge (also called Beringia), which connected present-day Siberia (Asia) and Alaska (North America). This land bridge was a vast, flat region of tundra that allowed for the migration of animals and humans between the continents. -
Humans are using more sophisticated stone tools and developing early forms of social organization. -
Humans began migrating across the Bering Land Bridge during this time. These early humans were likely following large herds of animals, such as mammoths, which provided them with food and other resources. -
Groups begin moving south from Beringia into North America as the ice sheets start to recede. -
Evidence of the Clovis culture, characterized by distinct stone tools, appears across North America. -
The Bering Land Bridge floods due to rising sea levels, cutting off the land route between Asia and North America. -
Humans had spread throughout the Americas by this time. -
The Stone Age was a prehistoric era characterized by the use of stone tools, beginning around 2.5 million years ago and lasting until the advent of metalworking around 3000 BCE. It is divided into three main periods: the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic, each marking different advancements in human culture and technology. -
Begins in the Near East and later spreads to other regions. Humans start creating tools and weapons from bronze (an alloy of copper and tin), leading to advances in agriculture, warfare, and trade. In the Americas, most societies remain in the Neolithic stage, with sophisticated stone tool cultures. -
Considered the mother culture of Mesoamerica.
Located on the Gulf Coast of Mexico (Veracruz and Tabasco).
Famous for its colossal heads, sculptures, and the ballgame.
Developed a writing system and a calendar. -
Development of the first civilizations in Mesoamerica.
Emergence of agricultural practices and permanent settlements.
Early expressions of art and religion. -
The Pre-Columbian era refers to the period in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. In Mesoamerica, this era saw the rise of advanced civilizations such as the Olmecs, Maya, Zapotecs, and Aztecs, known for their achievements in agriculture, astronomy, architecture, and writing systems. -
Located in the Veracruz region, contemporary with the Olmecs.
Famous for their ritual traditions and ceremonies.
Known for decorative pottery and sculptures. -
Begins in the Near East and eventually spreads to Europe and Asia. The use of iron tools and weapons becomes widespread, leading to significant cultural and technological developments. In the Americas, metalworking is still rare, with societies continuing to rely on stone, wood, and bone tools. -
Developed primarily in Monte Albán (Oaxaca).
Known for monumental architecture and elaborate tombs.
Created their own writing system and calendar.
The Zapotec society was hierarchical and had a strong religious system. -
The city of Tula was their capital and an important cultural center.
Known for their architecture and influence on the Mexica.
Worshipped Quetzalcoatl and had a strong focus on militarism and warfare. -
Civilizations such as the Olmec, Maya, and later the Inca and Aztec emerge, with advanced knowledge in astronomy, architecture, and agriculture, though still primarily using stone tools. -
The city of Teotihuacan was one of the largest urban centers in Mesoamerica.
Known for its large pyramids, such as the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon.
Developed an extensive trade system and had significant cultural influence over other regions. -
Height of major urban and architectural civilizations.
Development of writing systems and complex social structures.
Expansion of trade and cultural influence. -
As ironworking spreads across the Old World, the Americas see the rise of complex societies with monumental architecture and intricate social structures, despite the continued use of stone tools. -
Founded the city of Tenochtitlan, which became the capital of their empire.
Known for their tribute system and rich cultural and religious life.
Their religion included human sacrifices, which were central to their worldview. -
In the 1276 the Mexicas settled in Chapultepec, where they remained for some time until they were defeated in a terrible battle and taken prisoners to Culhuacan. -
In 1325 they moved to a small island which was part of an archipelago in Lake Texcoco and which would eventually become: the city of Tenochtitlan. -
By 1376 the Mexicas had a real monarchy, descended, through Culhuacan, from the royal house of the Toltecs. -
The fourth king, Itzcoatl, who governed from 1427 to 1440, made an alliance with other powers and conquered the Tepanecas. -
The actual founder of the empire was Moctezuma I, who reigned until 1469. -
The Post-Columbian era refers to the period in the Americas following Christopher Columbus’s arrival in 1492. It marks the beginning of European exploration, colonization, and the profound transformation of indigenous societies through conquest, disease, cultural change, and the establishment of colonial rule. -
His three succesors, who vastly expanded the empire to at least the frontier of present-day Guatemala, were followed in 1502 by Moctezuma II. -
Hernán Cortés lands in Veracruz and begins his march toward Tenochtitlán, forming alliances with indigenous groups like the Totonacs. -
After initial battles, Cortés forms a vital alliance with the Tlaxcalans, enemies of the Aztecs. -
Cortés is welcomed into Tenochtitlán by the Aztec emperor, whom he later takes hostage. -
After an Aztec uprising, Cortés and his forces attempt to flee Tenochtitlán. Many Spaniards and their allies die during the retreat. -
Cortés, with the help of indigenous allies, besieges the city for months, leading to the fall of the Aztec Empire. -
This event signaled the beginning of Spanish dominance and the decline of indigenous civilizations in the region. -
The Aztec Empire collapses, marking the beginning of Spanish rule in Mexico. -
Francisco Pizarro captures the Inca emperor Atahualpa during the Battle of Cajamarca, initiating the conquest of the Inca Empire. -
Valdivia begins his campaign to conquer Chile, facing fierce resistance from the Mapuche people. -
Spanish forces led by Cavallón begin the conquest of Costa Rica, establishing settlements despite resistance and challenging geography. -
Lucy is a groundbreaking hominid fossil discovered in 1974, offering crucial insights into early human evolution due to her well-preserved skeleton and ancient age. Lucy lived approximately 3.2 million years ago