Share the World

This is a blog dedicated to world history, stories, culture, and other interesting information. I post information as I learn it and in no way am I an expert. This is just me cataloging what I find.

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The Mound Builders

To the east of what is now the United States, between the years 1000 B.C.E. to C.E.1500, mounds were constructed by Native Americans. 

Archaeologists recognize two mound traditions among the Native American cultures:

Woodland Mounds

The Woodland mounds started as small burial mounds that eventually developed into elaborate tombs. Pictures below are the mounds of the Hopewell culture. Located in southern Ohio, these are the largest mounds. Sadly, some of the mounds have been recreated due to excavations.

"The term Hopewell describes a broad network of economic, political, and spiritual beliefs and practices among different Native American groups. That culture is characterized by the construction of enclosures made of earthen walls, often built in geometric patterns and mounds of various shapes. The culture is known for a network of contacts with other groups, stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Rocky Mountains. This expansive network brought materials such as mica, shark's teeth, obsidian, copper, and shells to Ohio."

http://www.touring-ohio.com/southwest/chillicothe/hopewell-indian-mounds.html

Mississippian Mounds

The Mississippian mounds reflect the development of farming in Native American culture. These mounds were used as bases for important structures (C.E. 700). Below is an aerial photo of the Cahokia Mounds in Illinois. They are truly beautiful and amazing.

You can read more about the mounds and the culture of the Illinois Native Americans here: http://www.legendsofamerica.com/il-cahokia.html 

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The Anasazi

Native Americans living in the area of the United States left little material of their ancient cultures. Little is known about the cultures in North America because no written histories were kept before the Europeans arrived. In the Southwest, archaeologists have identified what they call the Anasazi (the ancient ones). They lived as early as B.C. 5500. They are also called the “Basket Makers” because their baskets were discovered in sites associated with their culture.

Here is a picture of an Anasazi basket: 

http://anasazi.wikispaces.com/Basket+making+and+pottery

The Anasazi built communal homes out of wood and thatch and occupied caves. Between C.E. 700 to 1100, the Anasazi built what the Spanish called “pueblos.” The “pueblos” in Mesa Verde in southwest Colorado still survive.

These cliff dwellings are so impressive and beautiful. How amazing is it they still exist after all these years?

It’s a mystery why the Anasazi left their beautiful dwellings, but it is suggested that environmental factors are responsible.

http://www.cliffdwellingsmuseum.com/anasazi/phase-one-basketmaker-anasazi

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The Bering Strait Theory

The universal question has always been asked: where did we come from? We have long questioned our past and have made theories of our beginnings. One popular theory proposes that Native Americans came from Asia and have been around for thousands of years. 

The Bering Strait theory has widely been accepted since the 1930's. The theory proposes that Native Americans came from Siberia and traveled to Alaska about 50,000 years ago via the Bering Land Bridge located in the Bering Sea (The Bering Strait is a sea between Asia and North America). Bering Sea levels had dropped, creating the Bering Land Bridge. The ancient people supposedly tracked animal herds through the Land Bridge, into Alaska. 

This image shows possible migration routes:

Genetic tests have been presented to find possible lineages. Using these tests it has been shown that people from Southern Siberia strongly match Native American profiles. Keep in mind, like all races, Native American's are diverse. The research concludes the closer to Alaska they are, the more similarities they share with Southern Siberians.

http://ows.edb.utexas.edu/site/hight-kreitman/land-bridge-theory

http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2007/beringstrait.htm

Remember that this is a theory; though widely excepted, not everyone believes it to be true. Some Native Americans have beliefs supported by their religion, that they have always been in the Americas. Using this theory to say that Native Americans are not really Native is wrong.They have been in the Americas for thousands of years. 

http://www.native-languages.org/bering.htm

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The 5th Ocean: Southern Ocean

Many people, including myself, did not know that the world has an official 5th ocean. The International Hydrographic Organization named the Southern Ocean as the world's 5th ocean in 2000. The Southern ocean completely surrounds Antarctica and is the 4th largest out of the 5 oceans. Below is a photo of the Southern Ocean. 

Reference: http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcsouthern.htm