The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South AmericaRafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel)
History
The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South America
Rafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel)
Indians; Indians -- Origin; Taino Indians; Taino language
We have the plans of Ancient Mexico and Cuzco; but lack those of
Tiahuanaco, Otolum, and many more important for ancient history. Several
plans of ancient sites of civilization have been given, along with those
of monuments. I have many in Mpt. yet unpublished. The greatest part of
modern cities, are built on ancient sites, from Mexico to Chili. In North
America, the same happens with Cincinnati, Louisville, Pittsburg, St.
Louis, Philadelphia, Savannah, &c. The views of ruined cities, and those
of actual cities, are partly historical, connected with the knowledge of
gradual American civilization.
Many ancient names of islands, lakes, streams and mountains, are preserved
in actual names. Such are Cuba, Hayti—Ontario, Erie, Titicaca—Ohio,
Alatamaha, Maranon, Parana, Rivers.—Alleghanies, Andes, Parima, Mountains,
&c. When the names have been changed, it is the duty of the historical
geographer to compare the old and new names.
The Mexicans and other civilized ancient nations, could draw and paint
maps. Even our North American tribes can draw rude maps on skins or bark.
Some of these are preserved in museums; but none have ever been published:
although some are pretty correct and deserving it.
4. _Natural Sciences._ They are now becoming sisters of history. Geology
is connected with geography. Botany and Zoology, acquaint us with trees,
plants and animals, which were used in the arts and agriculture at
different periods. The Asiatic origin of maize, called _maza_ by Hesiod
and known to the Pelagians (Hughes Greece,) has been unperceived by
Humboldt and many others, although it throws some light on the early
migrations and communications of tribes. Maize was cultivated in Assyria,
West Tartary, North Africa and Java, before 1492, as asserted by Marco
Polo, Crawford, Raffles. Gebelin, &c.(3)
America had anciently several cereal plants, besides maize, two kinds of
indigenous wheat and barley in Chili. The Quinoa and Zizania, the rice of
South and North America. Many roots, beans, seeds, fruits and flowers,
were cultivated from Canada to Chili. Native dies were abundant, the
indigo and annato were natives. Red and yellow cochineal were nursed and
collected. Many peculiar kinds of cotton, silks, hemp, flax, agave, palm,
&c., were cultivated or collected to use for cloths, threads, ropes, &c.
Paleontology, a new science, seeks for the remains of animals dwelling on
earth, before mankind. America has already afforded the huge mastodons,
elephants, megatherium, megalonyx, as primitive land animals, and many
large reptiles, crocodiles of streams and lakes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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