Introduction
This essay seeks to report on the techniques utilized by scholars in describing the history and people who lived a long time ago and then explain the prehistoric culture of Amazon. Furthermore, it will provide a brief explanation of European dominance in the new world, and provide a comprehensive as to why prehistoric people disappeared. The essay will also provide a brief conclusion.
Technique Used by Scholars
Scholars employ various methods in the study of life and the past of a person. In the case of prehistoric people, scholars have utilized artifacts that were left behind by ancient people. These artifacts include; structures, burial websites, methods, weapons, cooking tools, ceramics, wall, or cave paintings among others (Wrangham, 2009). This can be viewed through the presence of renowned pyramids such as Mayan and Aztec, which have numerous artifacts as well as hieroglyphs that can be utilized by archeologists. In Peru, archeologists have used Machu Picchu to study the origin and life of ancient people (Silverman & Isbell, 2008). As such, scholars can find information regarding the lives of ancient people with no written records.
Prehistoric Amazonian
Traditionally, historians regarded the culture of prehistoric Amazonians as simple, but archeologists indicate that their culture was complex. Nonetheless, similar to the native population who live in North America, European conquerors despised the prosperity of prehistoric Amazonians culture because of the idea of civilization, and since the culture was different from their own (Johnson & Earle, 2000).
European Domination
It is on record that European countries dominated the new world. This is attributed to three things, namely; foreign diseases, weaponry, and the existence of steel. The natives of the new world were susceptible and vulnerable to foreign diseases, such as a small box. This is because their immune system was not well developed to counter the effects of foreign diseases. Also, Europeans had quick and effective access to artillery and firearms that were used to attack native warriors.
The weaponry was efficient and safe since they function well in a safe distance as opposed to the traditional weapons used and favored by native forces such as bows, arrows, knives, and spears. The existence of steel in European countries that were used in making armor and weapons also facilitated European domination and colonization of native populations (Sherman & Salisbury, 2011). As such, these three things put the culture of Europeans on a more superior scale; hence they could undertake their mission of eradicating and colonizing native cultures with ease.
The disappearance of an Ancient Group of People
One significant example of an ancient group that has disappeared is the native population around Amazonians Marajo. The disappearance of the native culture is attributed to famine, foreign diseases that result in high death rate and low immunity, war, and suffering serious attacks. A combination of these things will eventually result in the permanent demise of a culture. This demise of cultures is also observed in European countries.
For instance, Europe was swept by the black plague, during the 14th century, killing roughly one-third of the whole population. As a result, entire cities disappeared, and as such, a disease can eradicate an entire culture if it hit a small, concentrated area. This because the native population will die due to lack of food or suffer from raids by strong culture, or by other seeking survival from joining other cultures (Fiero, 2009).
In conclusion, the factors that contribute to European dominance resemble those that accelerate the decimation of native cultures.
References
Fiero, G. K. (2009). Landmarks in humanities (2nd Ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Johnson, A. W., & Earle, T. K. (2000). The evolution of human societies: from foraging group to agrarian state (2nd Ed.). Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press.
Sherman, D., & Salisbury, J. E. (2011). The West in the world: a history of western civilization (4th Ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Silverman, H., & Isbell, W. H. (2008). Handbook of South American archaeology. New York: Springer.
Wrangham, R. W. (2009). Catching fire how cooking made us human (Kindle Ed.). New York: Basic Books.