Connecting the dots across time
Long before European contact, the Mi'kmaq people developed a sophisticated democratic government known as the Sante Mawiomi, or Grand Council. This centuries-old institution masterfully balanced local community autonomy with the…
Long before the Inca, the Wari empire ruled the Andes, leaving behind a stunning legacy of highly organized grid-plan cities. These architectural marvels, from sprawling provincial centers like Pikillacta to…
Journey into the mist-shrouded Andes of Peru to uncover the enigmatic Chachapoya, the "Warriors of the Clouds." This post explores their colossal stone fortress of Kuélap, their unique practice of…
Long before Columbus, the Caribbean was the domain of the Taíno, a people with a rich and complex society. Explore their world of spiritual zemís and ingenious agriculture, and uncover…
Long before European ships reached its shores, North America was home to a sprawling civilization of pyramid-builders. The Mississippian culture built monumental cities, commanded vast trade networks, and developed a…
Long before European empires, a sophisticated trade network thrived across North America, connecting distant communities. Discover the Hopewell tradition, where exotic materials like obsidian from the Rockies and shells from…
Long before the Maya or Aztecs, the Olmec civilization carved colossal stone heads weighing up to 50 tons, each a unique portrait of a powerful ruler. These incredible feats of…
In the late 13th century, a thriving civilization vanished from the iconic cliff dwellings of the American Southwest, leaving behind a profound historical mystery. The mass exodus of the Ancestral…
Trepanation, the ancient practice of drilling a hole into the human skull, stands as one of the world's oldest surgical procedures. Archaeological evidence from the Neolithic period onwards reveals that…
Long before the Inca, the Moche civilization thrived on Peru's desert coast, leaving behind incredible pottery and treasures of gold. Yet these master craftsmen and fierce warriors, who built massive…
Explore the Qhapaq Ñan, the stunning 25,000-mile road system that formed the lifeline of the Inca Empire. Discover how Inca engineers conquered the treacherous Andes mountains, building intricate suspension bridges…
The Inca built a vast, powerful empire without a written alphabet as we know it. Their solution was the khipu, an intricate system of knotted cords that modern scholars are…
Long before it was a sweet treat, chocolate was a bitter, spicy drink prized by Aztec emperors. Discover the incredible journey of cacao from a sacred Mesoamerican ritual to a…
Etched into the arid plains of southern Peru, the Nazca Lines are a series of colossal geoglyphs that have baffled historians for decades. We explore the ancient culture that created…
Long before Columbus, a sprawling metropolis larger than contemporary London thrived near modern-day St. Louis. Home to the sophisticated Mississippian culture, the city of Cahokia boasted massive earthen pyramids and…