If we wish to organize cultures by their importance in their respective continents, then we must begin with the most importantly developed cultures in AmericaOver the centuries, various civilizations have left their indelible mark on this continent, with their profound cultural, artistic and scientific legacy, thus influencing the subsequent evolution of America.
The Mayan culture
La Mayan culture It is one of the most fascinating civilizations in Mesoamerica. This culture was established during the period known as Preclassic, which extends from approximately 2000 BC to 250 AD. The Maya lived mainly in the south and southeast of what is now Mexico, reaching as far as Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador.
One of the greatest legacies of the Maya is their complex social organization. They divided their social structure into three clearly differentiated classes. The highest class was made up of rulers and officials, followed by specialized workers, such as architects and artisans. At the base of society were the peasants, responsible for cultivating the land and producing food.
The political structure of the Mayans was decentralized, which meant that their territory was divided into independent city-states, each ruled by a chief known as a "halach uinik." Serving him were lower-ranking officials and priests. Religion played a vital role for this people, who were deeply polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods linked to nature, such as the god of corn or the god of rain.
The Mayan writing system was very advanced, unique in pre-Columbian America. It was a mixture of phonetic symbols and ideograms, something similar to Egyptian hieroglyphics, and allowed the representation of everything expressed in their spoken language. Although most of the writings were destroyed during the Spanish colonization, some codices and monuments with inscriptions have survived, allowing us to decipher part of their history.
Mayan architecture is another of its greatest legacies. step pyramids are still impressive to this day. Famous ceremonial centers such as Tikal, Chichén Itzá or Uxmal were centers of religious, commercial and political power. The astronomical observations carried out by the Maya allowed them to improve their agricultural techniques and develop a precise calendar, which helped them determine the right times to sow and harvest, as well as to predict important astronomical events.
In the field of mathematics, the Mayans were pioneers. They devised a sophisticated system based on vigesimal notation (base 20), in which they developed the concept of zero, long before other civilizations such as the Romans. This allowed them to perform complex calculations, related not only to their calendar, but also to precise astronomical observations of the movements of the moon and planets.
Religiously, the Mayans were also known for their rituals of human and animal sacrifices to appease the gods, renew the fertility of the land and ensure the continuity of their agricultural cycles. Sacrifices were deeply integrated into their worldview, being a fundamental practice in their religious life.
Medicine in the Mayan civilization combined science and religious rituals. They used medicinal plants, but also practices that could be described as magical to heal the sick. Shamans had extensive knowledge of herbs and remedies, which, together with their ability to interpret the signs of the body and the stars, gave them a prominent role in society.
Aztec culture
La Aztec culture It developed later than the Mayan, specifically from the 12th century. The first Aztecs were a warrior and nomadic tribe who settled in the valley of Mexico. They came from the mythical place of Aztlán and, after a long pilgrimage, they arrived at the basin of Mexico, where they founded their capital, the City of Tenochtitlan, on an island in Lake Texcoco, in 1325 AD
The Aztecs based their economy mainly on agriculture. They grew corn, beans and chili peppers, staples in their diet. In order to be able to plant crops on land that was not the most suitable, they built a complex network of chinampas, or floating gardens, which allowed them to cultivate in Lake Texcoco.
Trade also played a key role in the expansion of the Aztec empire. Their markets were famous, and merchants known as pochtecas They traded with other peoples in Mesoamerica and even beyond, bringing exotic and luxurious products such as cocoa and quetzal feathers to their cities.
The city of Tenochtitlan stood out for its architecture. The large religious buildings, in particular the Main temple, were the center of religious and political life of the Aztecs. Aztec cities were organized around large plazas where religious ceremonies and commercial activities were held. On the other hand, the houses of the nobles and rich were built of stone, while the humble homes of the lower class were made of adobe and straw.
Like the Mayans, the Aztecs also had a very advanced astronomical system. Their calendar, known as the solar calendar o tonalpohualli, was divided into 18 months of 20 days each, with a total of 360 days, plus a final period of 5 additional days known as Nemontemi, a time of purification and preparation for the new cycle.
As for religion, sun worship was central to Aztec life. They offered human sacrifices to their main god, Huitzilopochtli, god of war and the sun, to ensure that the star continued its path across the sky. Human sacrifice was a common practice and fundamental ritual for the Aztecs, with the belief that blood was what kept the sun alive.
Although the Aztecs did not develop a writing system as advanced as that of the Mayans, they did have a system of oral literature very rich, which included religious hymns, war songs and historical narratives.
The Incas
The Incas formed the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. They extended over much of the Andean region, from southern Colombia to northern Chile. Their capital was Cuzco, which meant "the navel of the world" in Quechua. The Inca Empire, known as Tahuantinsuyo, was divided into four main regions, each governed by an "Apo" or general.
At the top of the social structure was the INCA, considered a direct descendant of the Sun god, IntiHis power was absolute and he could have several wives, but the first was considered the Empress o coyaBelow the Inca was the nobility, which included priests, high officials, and other members of royalty.
The Inca economy was based mainly on the farming. Corn, potatoes, chili peppers and squash were the main products they grew. To do this, they developed a system of agricultural terraces, which allowed them to grow crops in the mountains. They used a network of irrigation canals that distributed water among the various plantations, making the most efficient use of water resources.
Inca architecture is also one of the most advanced. They are known for their precision in building stone structures, such as in Machu Picchu or Sacsayhuamán. These structures were not only functional, but also artistic, carved to perfection to withstand earthquakes and the passage of time.
As for their astronomical knowledge, the Incas developed an efficient calendar system based on the observation of the stars. They also believed that illness was the result of punishment or sin, so they used herbal remedies to cure the sick.
The Paracas culture
The Paracas culture flourished in the coastal region of Peru between 700 BC and 200 AD. It stands out for its advances in cranial surgeryThe Paracas performed cranial trepanations for medical purposes, to treat brain trauma. They also had very characteristic pottery, made up of spherical bowls decorated with bright colours: yellow, black, red and green.
Their pottery and textiles are a testament to their fine craftsmanship. The Paracas employed advanced dyeing and weaving techniques, creating complex pieces that were used for ritual purposes.
Vicus culture
The Vicus culture developed in the current region of Piura, between 200 BC and 300 AD. They stood out for their skill in the field of metalworkingThey worked with gold, silver and copper with remarkable skill. In addition, they made ceramics with various decorative motifs, ranging from the simplest to the most complex and detailed. It was common to create deep graves, dug in the shape of a boot, which could reach up to 10 meters.
In short, the pre-Columbian cultures of America left behind an impressive legacy in terms of architecture, astronomy, mathematics and religion. These civilizations not only influenced their contemporaries, but their impact remains relevant today.