# Indigenous Civilizations of Early Historical Lands

Before the arrival of European explorers and recorded historical accounts from outside settlers, various indigenous peoples and civilizations thrived in regions across the globe. The vast diversity of these groups and their sophisticated cultures, traditions, and impacts on their lands remain subjects of extensive study and admiration. This article explores two central examples of such indigenous civilizations, focusing on the groups commonly referred to as "Indians" in some regions, and the Yellow River and Amur people in other parts.

## Indigenous Peoples Referred to as "Indians"

The term "Indians" broadly encompasses the numerous indigenous groups who inhabited large swathes of the Americas. This includes North, Central, and South America, where these communities lived for over ten thousand years prior to the arrival of Europeans in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The term itself originated from Christopher Columbus, who mistakenly believed he had reached the Indian subcontinent when he came upon the Americas.

### Culture and Organization

These indigenous groups were incredibly diverse, ranging from nomadic tribes to sedentary societies. Some of the more well-known civilizations include the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas in what is now Mexico and Peru. These civilizations developed complex societies with extensive knowledge in agriculture, mathematics, astronomy, and architecture. For example, the Mayans are famous for their calendar system and pyramidal structures, while the Incas are renowned for their road systems and the construction of Machu Picchu.

### Impact and Legacy

The indigenous peoples of the Americas significantly shaped the ecological landscapes through practices like the controlled burn of forest areas to manage land and the domestication of crops such as maize, beans, and potatoes. Their philosophical and social structures influenced their governance, art, and interactions with the environment, laying foundational aspects that continue to influence these regions today.

## Indigenous Groups of the Yellow River and Amur Region

Turning to East Asia, specifically the eastern and central parts of what is now China and Russia, the Yellow River people and the Amur people represent some of the earliest known civilizations in these areas.

### The Yellow River Civilization

Often regarded as one of the cradles of Chinese civilization, the Yellow River valley was home to one of the world's earliest sophisticated societies. The Yellow River, or Huang He, is the second-longest river in China and served as the birthplace for the Chinese civilization which dates back to at least 2070 BCE during the Xia dynasty, according to traditional Chinese historical accounts. The fertile floodplain of the river supported intensive agriculture, which in turn supported large populations and led to the development of a central state.

### The Amur People

The Amur people, on the other hand, inhabited territories along the Amur River in what is now far eastern Russia and northeast China. These communities were primarily hunter-gatherers with some agriculture, distinguished by their unique dwelling structures, boats, and fishing gear adapted for the harsh climates and the riverside environments. Cultural exchanges between the Amur people and the neighboring northern Chinese dynasties and tribal confederacies were common, which influenced the region's cultural and economic landscapes over millennia.

### Contributions and Interactions

Both the Yellow River and Amur people contributed significantly to the development of ceramics, metallurgy, and textiles in the region. Their extensive trading networks facilitated cultural and technological exchanges that shaped the broader East Asian region's historical trajectory.

## Conclusion

The indigenous peoples and civilizations before recorded historical accounts from outside explorers or settlers exhibit the richness of human history and culture. From the "Indians" of the Americas to the Yellow River and Amur civilizations of East Asia, each group adapted to and shaped their environment in distinct ways, leaving legacies that continue to influence contemporary societies. These civilizations remind us of the deep-rooted connections to our environments and the diverse ways societies can organize and sustain themselves.