Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26382

Title

Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

John D. Baldwin offers a comprehensive survey of American antiquities, challenging prevailing theories to argue for an original, sophisticated civilization in the Americas. With a tone of scholarly advocacy, this work explores mound-builders, Mexican ruins, and Peruvian history, inviting general readers to reconsider the depth of ancient American achievements.

Summary up to 500 words

In "Ancient America," John D. Baldwin presents a comprehensive overview of pre-Columbian civilizations, arguing that the Americas possessed an original, high-level civilization long before European contact. The work examines three primary regions: the Mississippi Valley, Mexico and Central America, and Peru. In the Mississippi Valley, Baldwin details the monumental achievements of the "Mound-Builders," describing their massive earthworks, precise geometric designs, and advanced mining techniques. He asserts that these structures served as foundations for temples and cities, displaying a sophistication comparable to contemporary Mexican ruins. Baldwin systematically evaluates various origin theories, including the Phoenician, Malay, and Lost Tribes hypotheses, ultimately dismissing them. Instead, he favors the "Atlantic" theory proposed by Brasseur de Bourbourg, which suggests a vast American continent once extended into the Atlantic Ocean before being submerged by a cataclysmic event. This theory aligns with ancient traditions found in Central American books regarding a great destruction of land and people. Moving to Mexico and Central America, the text highlights the architectural marvels of Palenque, Uxmal, and Chichen-Itza. Baldwin notes their distinct writing systems and architectural styles, emphasizing that they differ radically from Phoenician scripts or Old World influences. In Peru, he discusses the Incas, earlier civilizations around Lake Titicaca, and the extensive road networks, citing early Spanish chroniclers like Garcilasso and Montesinos. Although Spanish conquerors destroyed much evidence through greed and fanaticism, surviving monuments prove that a highly developed society existed there. Baldwin concludes that American antiquity represents an independent development rather than a derivative of Old World cultures, urging readers to study these remains with fresh eyes to appreciate their true significance and originality.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Archaeology