Period 1 Native American Timeline
Prior to the arrival of Europeans in America, several Native American Societies inhabited the americas, with distinct and diverse cultures caused by regional differences.
Cultures of Central and South America
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Mayas
- The Mayas constructed massive cities in the Yucatán Peninsula.
- Cultivated maize
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Aztecs
- The Aztecs built a massive empire with advanced irrigation systems.
- The Aztec capital was Tenochtitlán, located in modern day Mexico City.
- Population of 200,000
- Cultivated maize
-
Incas
- The Incas had their empire located along the peaks of the Andes mountain range in Peru.
- The Incas built terraces, to facilitate agriculture on the sides of the mountains.
- Cultivated potatoes
Maize/corn was a staple crop of many Native American societies. The nutrition it gave allowed for the formation of densely populated settlements and social diversity. This meant people were able to become specialized in their own field of interest.
Cultures of North America
General Patterns
The slow spreading of the cultivation of maize from Central and South America to North America caused regional differences such as:
- North American societies had fewer people (usually <300)
- Less complex social structures
- Usually consisted of Hunter-Gatherer type tribes
- Semi-permanent settlements
Languages
Native American languages were really diverse, consisting of more than 20 language families, of which included Algonquian in the Northeast, Siouan on the Great Plains, and Athabaskan in the southwest.
Southwest Settlements
Includes advanced groups like the Hohokam, Anasazi, and Pueblos.
The introduction of the cultivation of maize allowed for advanced permanent settlements in the Southwest.
Southwest Settlements were built into caves, under cliffs, and in large multistoried buildings made of rock.
Pacific Northwest Settlements
Native American Societies in the Pacific Northwest had a rich diet based on hunting, fishing, and gathering. They constructed totem poles. 
Great Basin and Great Plains
Dry grassy climate
Nomadic tribes that survived on hunting buffalo, which they also used for decorations, tools, knives, and clothing. They lived in teepees.
Mississippi River Valley
Really large and complex cities, with complex social hierarchies. Big dirt mounds. The Cahokia settlement, for example, had as many as 30k inhabitants.
Northeast Settlements
Used hunting and farming, built longhouses. Tribes around the Great Lakes and NY joined together in the Iroquois Confederation, or Haudenosauanee.
The native American tribes, though often grouped together and generalized, were at large incredibly diverse and unique.