1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus-Book Review
How I chose this book for our South America to the World book club is by what I like to call the result of a book chain effect. When you read a good book, certain authors get mentioned, and curiosity takes its course. Especially in specific topics that you desire to understand better or learn more about it. Our December’s book review “Long Road From Quito: Transforming Healthcare in Rural Latin America” by Tony Hiss led me to Mr. Mann’s book on the Americas.
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus. Shines a new light on everything we thought we knew about the Americas, and its habitants. It is a book full of new information got by professionals on various fields. Historians, anthropologists, archaeologists, ecologists, geographers, epigraphers, and linguists alike. All contributed to the new results used in the book.
Mr. Mann’s cites “Demography, climatology, epidemiology, economics, botany, palynology (pollen analysis); molecular and evolutionary biology; carbon-14 dating, ice-core sampling, satellite photography, and soils assays; genetic microsatellite analysis and virtual 3-D fly-throughs—a torrent of novel perspectives and techniques cascaded into use.” We are left with new knowledge and amazement of previous civilizations.
1491 book explains the advance in scientific research done in the matter. Shifting our pre-conceived ideas, and what we were taught in high school and universities. Mr. Charles C. Mann compiled all this new information in the most extraordinary way. Science plays the main role in all new discoveries presented in the book.
Once again authors make the remark that all we know about older civilizations is based on European chronicles. Mr. Mann established this fact in his book, as Mr. MacQuarrie mentioned in his book our July’s book review “The Last Days of the Incas.” We can agree that it is bias account.
1491 book contains three parts in which the author explains to be Indian demography (Part I), Indian origins (Part II), and Indian ecology (Part III) plus coda. It is an ample read. I praise the author for presenting us new historical information in the most engaging and entertaining way. Never a dull part in the book, and it is easy to understand. I have definitely learned a lot from it, which is the most rewarding effect on spending time and money on something.
As I have stated before, a book that starts with a map is a good start, especially in such topic like this. The author presents a map of Native America as it could have been in 1491.
As a Peruvian-American, I am fascinated by what scientists are discovering now. As well as to have a better understanding of what they found before. The author shares a more complete account on the first colonists’ (pilgrims) arrival to North America. There is a more comprehensive narration of what took place on the First Thanksgiving. The influence that Native Americans had on the visitors and so on.
Scientists are coming closer to discovering one of the biggest mysteries of our time. Why or how ancient populations disappear? The Maya culture comes to mind. Also, how was possible for the Spaniards with only over one-hundred men to conquer the Incas? We know the Incas had a bigger army and possessed great military skills; well planned strategies showed by the conquers themselves performed.
This reminds me of our visit to Mesa Verde, to what I refer as, The Machu Picchu of North America. Where we were told the Anasazi people just disappear. There are speculations about it, but this book gives me an idea of what might have happened.
I have a better understanding now of The Three Sisters (maize, beans, and squash) the most efficient way to grow maize established by the Native Americans. Trade was another practice used by these indigenous groups.
The more I read about the history of the Incas, the more I am thrilled by it. To quote the author “In 1491, the Inka ruled the greatest empire on earth. Bigger than Ming Dynasty China, bigger than Ivan the Great’s expanding Russia, bigger than Songhay in the Sahel or powerful Great Zimbabwe in the West Africa tablelands, bigger than the cresting Ottoman Empire, bigger than the Triple Alliance, bigger by far than any European state, the Inka dominion extended over a staggering thirty-two degrees of latitude—as if a single power held sway from St. Petersburg to Cairo.” We have a better understanding now on how they worked. The genius of Pachacutec and his hegemonic empire. The Tawantinsuyo.
Scientist are deciphering the Quipus-Kipus (the ones that the Spaniards didn’t destroy) better now. This system of knots holds more information than previously thought. They now recognize the kipus as a written system. Author’s quote “All known writing systems use instruments to paint or inscribe on flat surfaces. Khipu are three-dimensional arrays of knots.” This, to me, is fascinating.
The author in his book refers to many cultures, among them the Olmec, the Maya, the Zapotec. And the Adena, and the Hopewell people. He mentioned how Native Americans used the land by burning it. Showing their agricultural skills. They were masters on working the land. Also, Mr. Mann explains the Maya’s calendar. Besides the use of the Christian calendar, they could add to it more. Author’s quote “The Mesoamerica calendar also tied together linear and cyclical time, but more elaborately.”
This book offers the most comprehensive history on Mesoamerica that I have read. All backed up with new data. Author’s quote “Tenochtitlan dazzled its invaders… Even more astounding that the great temples and immense banners and colorful promenades were the botanical gardens—none existed in Europe.” Unfortunately for us. The conquerors were the only ones who got to marvel Montezuma’s land in all its splendor. On the other hand, historians were able to find some old accounts on the subject.
On the south he talks about People of Norte Chico, Wari and Tiahuanacu, Chimu, Moche cultures. The Chinchorro and their mummies, the Sumerians. And many artifacts and ruins found. Using cotton in Peru, the Nazca lines, Chavin de Huantar, etc. Also, how Native Americas grew maize with their “millpa” system, and the used of potato by Andean farmers. He analysis how many cultures had influenced others, their trade systems and yes, the use of government.
Something that caught my attention was this, author’s quote “scientists did not confirm the existence of the Great Wall of Peru, a forty-mile stone rampart across the Andes, until the 1930s. And it still has never been fully excavated.” Thinking about it, we can assume that there is still so much to be discovered!
More and more, scientists are leaning toward epidemic diseases, introduced by Europeans. As the main cause of population decline in the Americas. The biggest of them all, smallpox affected the entire continent. It was devastating, for it exposed the susceptibility to the natives. If we add to these, conflict among cultures, and civil wars, the result was the most favorable for conquerors. Two great examples were Cortes, who conquered the Aztec empire. And Pizarro, who conquered the Incas.
1491 is a controversial book, and it will continue to be so. In part because of some old historians unwilling to accept new results and professional rivalry. The Americas in many respects remains to be a mystery. Thus, scientists are working on it, trying to interpret or decipher old artifacts becomes more extraordinary. We can’t avoid to give credit where credit is due. People from the Americas were more advanced than previously thought. They had great organization skills in government. Possessed military strategy, they were self-reliant; they had laws; they had impressive agricultural skills, built cities, and they were great astronomers.
This is a book that I would like to keep as a reference book, the amount of information provided is ample. Mr. Mann’s book is without a doubt a book that all interested in ancient civilizations must read.
–Yanira K. Wise, March, 2020
Links:
5 Best Ruins in Peru that are not Machu Picchu
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann
Long Road From Quito: Transforming Healthcare in Rural Latin America by Tony Hiss.
The Last Days of the Incas by Kim MacQuarrie
Peru 100 by James M. Wise
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ResearchGate: James M. Wise
Author´s page: James M. Wise
Photography page: JamesM.Wise.com
Author´s page: Yanira K. Wise
South America seems to refuse to show its inexhaustible creative force.
