Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, the Americas were inhabited by a thriving tapestry of indigenous civilizations that had flourished for millennia. From the advanced urban centers of Mesoamerica to the vast agricultural societies of the Andes, the New World was a realm of complex social structures, sophisticated technologies, and rich cultural traditions. These civilizations had developed their own systems of knowledge, art, and governance, and their interactions shaped the continent's vibrant and diverse landscape. However, the legacy of Columbus's arrival would forever alter the fate of these thriving societies, as European colonization and its devastating consequences would forever transform the destiny of the Americas.
