Pre-Columbian Societies: Technological Advances


Clovis Point


Technological Innovations revolutionized the lifestyles and identities of Pre-Columbian Societies.  For example, the invention of Clovis Points allowed people with this technology to hunt efficiently and Clovis technology quickly spread throughout the US.  The cultivation of Maize revolutionized American farming and ensured that Native Americans did not go hungry during cold winters – especially because they created varieties that could grow in any environment.  Lastly, the creation of irrigation systems and aqueducts allowed Native peoples to settle and to create large cities.  Some examples of agricultural innovations and the major cities that benefited are: the aqueducts in Tenochtitlan in the Aztec Empire; the irrigation systems of Macchu Pichu in the Incan empire; and the  irrigation systems in the farmlands surrounding Cahokia in the Mississippian civilizations. Instead of having to roam around and forage, Pre-Columbian societies were able to sustain large civilizations with cultivated crops.   We still benefit from innovations like the cultivation of maize (corn) and intricate irrigation systems today.  Agricultural innovations revolutionized Pre-Columbian societies by allowing them to create large sedentary civilizations .  

Aqueduct in Tenochtitlan

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