The term
Pre-Columbian is used to
refer to the cultures of the New World in the era before significant European
influence. While technically referring to the era before
Christopher
Columbus, in practice the term usually includes indigenous cultures
as they continued to develop until they were conquered or significantly
influenced by Europeans, even if this happened decades or even centuries
after Columbus first landed.
The term Pre-Columbian is used especially often in discussions
of the great indigenous civilizations of the New World, such as those of
MesoAmerica
(e.g. the Aztec
and Maya)
and the Andes (Inca,
Moche, etc).
Also see under Pre-Columbian
transatlantic contacts, Pre-Columbian
population
