Ways of Thinking: Americas

Mentality
the natural world is divine

Religion
varied, tribal or imperial: most naturalistic, nature deified in many regions, sun-gods popular, extensive Mayan texts in Central America, huge temples/pyramids

Society
stratified: in kingdoms, strict class structure with warriors at the top

Economy
producer of food and precious metals: food crops, tobacco, dyes, gold and silver, fiber
imports: none, internal trade until Europeans arrive

Gender Roles
varied: some tribes divide labor only, others matrilineal (family status determined through female line)

Philosophy
based on time: Mayans believe humans are guardians of time, intrinsically part of nature

History
broad: can be in terms of geological time, cyclical and seasonal

Americas image

Image by Jason McCartney, Jill Malone's CIS 246/Art 247 Photoshop class (S04)