Ancient South America (Cambridge World Archaeology) by Dr Karen Olsen Bruhns

by Karen O. Bruhns

South America is still the least known continent in the world. Ancient South America encompasses ten millennia of cultural development and diversity on this great continent. From the first hunters to the magnificent empire of the Incas it covers the immense variety of cultures, their unique arts and industries and the important contributions these little known peoples have made to the modern world. Accessibly written and abundantly illustrated, this book will be enjoyed by students of archaeology, anthropology and art history.

Genres: History, Archaeology, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published August 4, 1994

Reviews

[Sijal]

The nonfiction book, Religion in the Ancient World was written by Arthur Nock, and it is an informative book about the myths and religions of the different ancient world civilization and their beliefs. These civilizations explained in the book have beliefs that relate to others throughout the world. However, the myths about South America and its beliefs are truly interesting. For instance, there were Shamans, which were spiritual leaders who performed ceremonies to cure the suck, make prophecies, and control volcanic eruptions. This relates to the country Greece where they had the special people who would be able to make prophecies as well, like the oracle of Delphi. In addition, South Americans built special temples to make sacrifices to their gods, and prayed for protection from enemies and natural disasters. This part of ancient South American culture relates greatly to ancient Greece because Greeks built many temples to give thanks to their gods, to ask them for protection. This book is full of different facts about the two cultures, which helps the reader understand how one culture can be similar to another culture even though it is not nearby. These ancient cultures are also different in numerous ways, which makes them unique. As one can see, this nonfiction book gives facts about cultures that come from the ancient world, which can be used to compare different civilizations.


Religion in the Ancient World has myths, beliefs, and religions from around the world, so one can compare easily compare the different cultures and see how they are similar or different. For instance, South Americans believed there were many gods, but that they needed to give sacrifices to the gods in order to please them. This relates to Ancient Greece where there were different gods; underworld, skies, and sea that had to be respected with sacrifices. Moreover, there were the Shamans, which were spiritual leaders who performed ceremonies to cure the suck, make prophecies, and control volcanic eruptions. In addition, South Americans believed in burials, where one is wrapped in cloth and preserved as a mummy. These buried bodies were placed in temples if they were noble, and were given materials to use in their afterlife. However, in Ancient Greece were different because they did not have the same belief about burying a person and preserving them as a mummy. As one can see, even though the ancient civilization of South America and Greece are far from each other they still have several things that they have in common.


My favorite part of this book is when it explained the many myths that existed in Ancient South America. These myths were particularly intriguing because there are a couple that are very different from other ancient civilizations. In addition, this book talks about several ancient civilizations, so anyone can compare and contrast these civilizations. However, my least favorite part is that it each section about a different civilization it too short, therefore the reader does not get the sufficient information needed. I would recommend this book to middle schoolers, especially those who like books about interesting myths, ancient beliefs of a religion. This book could be a good reference for a social sties class if they are studying about the ancient civilizations in the world because this book it brief and has accurate facts. However, Religion in the Ancient World can be used for finding out more information about how people created myths in order to explain natural disasters or things they could not explain. Moreover, one has pictures available with descriptions under them to help them obtaining a better understanding of the subject being discussed. This can permit people with lower reading levels to read this book and comprehend all the information. On the other hand, I would not recommend it to people who don’t enjoy historical books about ancient civilization because this is what the book reviews and discusses. In brief, people could find this book appealing if they appreciate books about myths, ancient beliefs, and religion.

[Maarten Casper Van Iersel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice enough introduction, but it stays very much on the surface, as it tries to cover too much ground. Cultures outside of peru get a few sentences each, to a point where this could have been called "Ancient Peru" and you wouldn't have to change very much.

[Dr. Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Bruhns has written an excellent piece that clearly explores pre-hispanic civilisations in the Americas. Great read!!!

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat, just read the chapter on corn....