Quote:
Originally Posted by 10023
There’s been a movement to exaggerate the level of sophistication of Native American culture in what is now the US (as opposed to the actually more advanced civilizations in present day Mexico) out of some sort of political correctness. And yes, there were more people before Europeans arrived than shorty after. But it’s not like there were thriving cities that just vanished along with their art, literature, infrastructure, etc.
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Depends on what you consider "sophistication."
Petroglyphs and cave paintings, carvings, musical instruments, storytelling, belief systems... these are all proof of a sophisticated capacity for abstract thought and communication, let alone the ability to cooperate, plan, strategize, manipulate and deceive. These people after all were living in and were able to survive for tens of thousands of years in the western hemisphere long before the Europeans arrived; they were obviously doing something right.
In my opinion, there's a sophistication to not wanting or feeling the need for the "advanced technology" of other cultures/civilizations... to keep on doing what works and doesn't destroy. It's arrogant to think they weren't "sophisticated" and somehow didn't live satisfying lives, that somehow exposure to Europe and Jesus is the only way to sophistication.