Americans Before Columbus facts for kids
Americans Before Columbus is an exciting children's book by Elizabeth Baity. It explores the fascinating history of people in the Americas before Christopher Columbus arrived. The book features amazing illustrations by C. B. Falls.
This book was first published in 1951. It even received a special award, a Newbery Honor, in 1952! Elizabeth Chesley Baity takes readers on a journey through time. She covers the history of ancient groups in South and Meso-America. This journey starts from the Ice Age, when people first crossed the Bering Strait. It continues all the way up to the arrival of Spain.
The author shares insights from archaeologists' discoveries. She explains how different Native American cultures lived. You'll learn about their history and what happened to them. The book focuses on groups like the Aztecs, Mayans, Iroquois, and Incas. It also highlights important builders and people across the continents. Baity teaches about each group and connects their lives to our modern world. Even though some information is now updated, the book is full of knowledge. It's a great way for young readers to start exploring history and archaeology!
Discovering Ancient Americans
Americans Before Columbus kicks off with the Ice Age. It explains how early humans traveled across the Bering Strait. This land bridge connected Asia and North America. They reached what we now call the New World. Archaeologists learned about these journeys from the art people left behind. This includes amazing cave art, woven baskets, and stone weapons.
Life After the Ice Age
After hundreds of years, these groups spread out. They settled across North and South America. Many began to live in one place instead of moving around. This led to different cultures developing unique customs. For example, the Eskimos lived in the far north. The cliff-dwelling basket makers lived in the Rocky Mountains. Hunter-gatherers built citadels in Mexico. And the Incas built a vast empire in the south.
How We Learn About the Past
Each group developed its own social behaviors. This included their religions and ways of organizing their communities. They also found ways to maintain their homes and groups. Elizabeth Baity's book uses the hard work of many experts. These include excavators, scientists, photographers, and artists. She explains how these ancient cultures came to be. The book also shows how modern people discovered and learned about them.
