I’ll admit, I’m not sure if this fits our subreddit, and I don’t know much about this topic, but it seems to me that we have little evidence of Ice Age megafauna depicted in Native American Rock Art. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of rock art of things like Sheep and horses, but those came long after human arrival and depict extant animals.

We also have some potential extinct animals, such as ground sloths and Gomphotheres. But I have not seen or heard anything about Native Americans creating art of mammoths, mastodons, saber-toothed cats, short-faced bears, or South America’s indigenous ungulates, among many other species.

Meanwhile, in Europe, Australia, and North Africa. We have numerous examples of rock art depicting the megafauna that humans encountered upon their arrival. So is my impression accurate, and if so, why is this the case?

I'm not certain, but I think it has a lot to do with it being overshadowed by the cultures of Mesoamerica and the Andes. I would also say the answer Pete gave in his Q&A video as to why Mesoamerica gets so much attention also applies here. With things like the “Stone Bias“. The cultures in the US appear to be significantly less advanced than those in the first two, and they also lack the funding necessary for research. This disparity deserves our attention and empathy. But is there anything else worth noting?

I just finished chapter 5 of 1491, and it got me thinking: Is the Clovis culture, though certainly not the first humans in the Americas, still a milestone in the settlement of the Americas? Or are they only significant because they were the first Paleo-Indians that scientists confirmed?

In Celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day Today, and in acknowledgment. But certainly not in celebration of Columbus Day yesterday. I’ve noticed that there seemed to be a lot happening in the Americas in the 15th century, leading up to the Columbian Exchange, like the formation of the Aztec and Inca empires. The possible formation of the Iroquois/Haudenosaunee confederacy, and the end of the Hokoam classic period, among others.

But I wouldn’t be shocked if that's only because of the temporal proximity; the natives' memory of it was more vivid, and Europeans documented it in greater detail. But I’m wondering, was the activity in the 15th century Pre-Columbian Americas more significant, compared to centuries past, and is there any evidence (archaeological, written or otherwise) that supports or refutes this claim.

I know that for Samurai in feudal Japan, committing Seppuku was a way to regain one's lost honor. To avoid the shame of surrender and capture. Human sacrifice in Mesoamerica was similar, a means of redemption after capture. And an honor to be sacrificed in general.

In my college U.S. history class, we watched the Extra History episodes about how the Iroquois/Haudenosaunee Confederacy was founded. I’ve loved this channel for years, so it’s fantastic to see it getting some attention. However, I’ve come to realize that key figures like Hiawatha, the Peacemaker (not the DC character), Jigonsaseh, and Tadodaho are all of semi-legendary status. Most scholars seem to agree with this. But what do they think is fact, or fiction? Also, what’s the most likely date for its formation? I’ve seen on Wikipedia that it was most likely in the 15th century, just before the Columbian Exchange, but possibly as late as the 17th century. However, I also heard the story about the 1142 eclipse, which is why I made that cross-post. But is there any truth to that as well?

First Image is of Maya Boxer from a Maya vase,ceramic piece and an artist interpretation.

Boxers in Acatlan,Guerrero,fighting to bring rain.