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Who wrote Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology?

"Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology" was written by John D. Baldwin and published in 1871. Pioneering American archaeologist who explored ancient civilizations in the Americas.

What happens in I of Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology?

Baldwin introduces the mysterious Mound-Builders who left extensive earthworks throughout the Mississippi and Ohio valleys. He describes their sophisticated constructions, including truncated pyramids, geometric enclosures, and evidence of organized industry that proves they were a civilized people far superior to later wild Indian tribes.

What happens in II of Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology?

Evidence for the great age of Mound-Builder works is presented, including geological changes since their construction, the extremely decayed condition of their skeletons, and the growth of primeval forests over their abandoned sites. Baldwin argues they lived in the region for many centuries before disappearing.

What happens in III of Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology?

Baldwin argues that Mound-Builders were not ancestors of wild Indians but came from Mexico and Central America. He refutes various theories connecting them to barbarous tribes and presents evidence of their Mexican origins, including similar construction methods and commercial connections.

What happens in IV of Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology?

The chapter surveys ruins in northern Mexico and the American Southwest, describing Pueblo structures and the 'Seven Cities of Cevola.' Baldwin shows how these represent a continuous tradition of civilization extending from Mexico through the southwestern United States.

What happens in V of Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology?

Detailed descriptions of the great southern ruins including Palenque, Copan, Mitla, and the Yucatan sites. Baldwin emphasizes their sophisticated architecture, elaborate decorations, and abundant inscriptions, arguing they represent the highest achievement of ancient American civilization.

What is the theme of "Archaeological Evidence vs. Prejudice" in Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology?

Baldwin consistently argues that physical evidence of sophisticated ancient American civilizations contradicts European prejudices that assumed Native Americans were incapable of advanced culture. He demonstrates how bias has distorted interpretation of archaeological findings.

What is the theme of "The Antiquity of American Civilization" in Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology?

A central theme is that American civilizations are far older than commonly believed, with evidence suggesting they may predate many Old World civilizations. Baldwin challenges chronologies that minimize the age and development of Native American cultures.

What is the theme of "Original vs. Derivative Civilization" in Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology?

Baldwin argues against theories that American civilizations were brought from elsewhere, instead demonstrating that they were original developments with unique characteristics. He systematically refutes claims of Old World origins for American achievements.

About Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology

Chapter Summaries

I: Baldwin introduces the mysterious Mound-Builders who left extensive earthworks throughout the Mississippi and Ohio valleys. He describes their sophisticated constructions, including truncated pyramids, geometric enclosures, and evidence of organized industry that proves they were a civilized people far superior to later wild Indian tribes.
II: Evidence for the great age of Mound-Builder works is presented, including geological changes since their construction, the extremely decayed condition of their skeletons, and the growth of primeval forests over their abandoned sites. Baldwin argues they lived in the region for many centuries before disappearing.
III: Baldwin argues that Mound-Builders were not ancestors of wild Indians but came from Mexico and Central America. He refutes various theories connecting them to barbarous tribes and presents evidence of their Mexican origins, including similar construction methods and commercial connections.

Key Themes

Archaeological Evidence vs. Prejudice: Baldwin consistently argues that physical evidence of sophisticated ancient American civilizations contradicts European prejudices that assumed Native Americans were incapable of advanced culture. He demonstrates how bias has distorted interpretation of archaeological findings.
The Antiquity of American Civilization: A central theme is that American civilizations are far older than commonly believed, with evidence suggesting they may predate many Old World civilizations. Baldwin challenges chronologies that minimize the age and development of Native American cultures.
Original vs. Derivative Civilization: Baldwin argues against theories that American civilizations were brought from elsewhere, instead demonstrating that they were original developments with unique characteristics. He systematically refutes claims of Old World origins for American achievements.

Characters

John D. Baldwin(protagonist): The author and narrator, an American scholar investigating ancient American civilizations. He systematically examines archaeological evidence from the Mound-Builders, Mexico, Central America, and Peru.
The Mound-Builders(major): An ancient, unknown people who left remains of civilization in the Mississippi and Ohio valleys. They built elaborate earthworks, mounds, and had advanced mining operations.
Squier and Davis(major): Archaeological investigators whose comprehensive work on Mound-Builder remains is considered the highest authority. They documented and mapped numerous ancient sites.
Brasseur de Bourbourg(major): French scholar who translated Central American books and developed the 'Atlantic theory' of American civilization. He discovered the Maya alphabet key.
The Colhuas(major): According to ancient traditions, the original civilizers of Mexico and Central America who came from the east and established the first great cities.
The Toltecs(major): Ancient Mexican people who succeeded the Colhuas and may have been the same as the Mound-Builders. They came from Huehue-Tlapalan in the northeast.

Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology

1871

John D. Baldwin

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Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology

Name: Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology
Rating: 3.8 (64 reviews)
Author: John D. Baldwin

John D. Baldwin

1871

In 1871, the great earthen mounds of the Mississippi Valley remained inexplicable. Who had built them? Where had they gone? John D. Baldwin's work is a journey into this vanished civilization, synthesizing the sparse archaeological knowledge of his era into something approaching a comprehensive portrait. He guides readers through the earthworks of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, connects them to the ruins of Maya temples and Aztec pyramids in Mexico and Central America, and proposes links between Old World and New World cultures that would later animate (and divide) generations of scholars. This is early American archaeology as detective story: Baldwin piecing together evidence of peoples who flourished, declined, and left only these silent monuments to mark their passage. For readers curious about the deep history of the Americas and the origins of archaeological inquiry, Baldwin offers a window into a moment when every mound promised revelation.

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Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology

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About Ancient America, in Notes on American Archaeology

Chapter Summaries

I: Baldwin introduces the mysterious Mound-Builders who left extensive earthworks throughout the Mississippi and Ohio valleys. He describes their sophisticated constructions, including truncated pyramids, geometric enclosures, and evidence of organized industry that proves they were a civilized people far superior to later wild Indian tribes.
II: Evidence for the great age of Mound-Builder works is presented, including geological changes since their construction, the extremely decayed condition of their skeletons, and the growth of primeval forests over their abandoned sites. Baldwin argues they lived in the region for many centuries before disappearing.
III: Baldwin argues that Mound-Builders were not ancestors of wild Indians but came from Mexico and Central America. He refutes various theories connecting them to barbarous tribes and presents evidence of their Mexican origins, including similar construction methods and commercial connections.

Key Themes

Archaeological Evidence vs. Prejudice: Baldwin consistently argues that physical evidence of sophisticated ancient American civilizations contradicts European prejudices that assumed Native Americans were incapable of advanced culture. He demonstrates how bias has distorted interpretation of archaeological findings.
The Antiquity of American Civilization: A central theme is that American civilizations are far older than commonly believed, with evidence suggesting they may predate many Old World civilizations. Baldwin challenges chronologies that minimize the age and development of Native American cultures.
Original vs. Derivative Civilization: Baldwin argues against theories that American civilizations were brought from elsewhere, instead demonstrating that they were original developments with unique characteristics. He systematically refutes claims of Old World origins for American achievements.

Characters

John D. Baldwin(protagonist): The author and narrator, an American scholar investigating ancient American civilizations. He systematically examines archaeological evidence from the Mound-Builders, Mexico, Central America, and Peru.
The Mound-Builders(major): An ancient, unknown people who left remains of civilization in the Mississippi and Ohio valleys. They built elaborate earthworks, mounds, and had advanced mining operations.
Squier and Davis(major): Archaeological investigators whose comprehensive work on Mound-Builder remains is considered the highest authority. They documented and mapped numerous ancient sites.
Brasseur de Bourbourg(major): French scholar who translated Central American books and developed the 'Atlantic theory' of American civilization. He discovered the Maya alphabet key.
The Colhuas(major): According to ancient traditions, the original civilizers of Mexico and Central America who came from the east and established the first great cities.
The Toltecs(major): Ancient Mexican people who succeeded the Colhuas and may have been the same as the Mound-Builders. They came from Huehue-Tlapalan in the northeast.