Venezuelan Pre-Columbian History & Indigenous Cultures
A Historical Review of Venezuela
The Evolution of Man and Early American Cultures
Africa is widely considered the cradle of humanity, as numerous remains of hominid species have been discovered there. Homo habilis, known for mastering fire and crafting complex tools, migrated from Africa to continents like Europe and Asia. Homo sapiens, the first species to create art, populated Africa and other parts of the world, leaving behind evidence in the caves they inhabited.
Autochthonous Theory: Proposed by Argentine scientist Florentino Ameghino (1854-1991), this theory suggests that humans originated in the place where they are found. Ameghino based his theory on the existence of a subtropical continent that remained united during the emergence of mammals, giving rise to humans.
Monogenist Theory: This term derives from “mono” (meaning single), “genesis,” and “origin,” implying a single origin for all humanity.
American Cultural Groups
- Paleo-Indian Cultures: The first human groups, nomadic peoples who came from the Amazon, the Andes, and the Caribbean, were dedicated to hunting, fishing, and gathering fruits and seashells.
- Meso-Indian Cultures: During this period, Aboriginal people settled in regions with abundant natural resources and began cultivating maize and cassava.
- Neo-Indian Cultures: These groups established permanent settlements with varied housing and were led by a single chief. They cultivated root crops like cassava and potatoes and practiced canoe navigation, enabling trade.
Polygenist Theory
French anthropologist Paul Rivet described this theory. Rivet demonstrated significant ethnic and cultural differences among American Indians, concluding that their origin was not unique but resulted from multiple waves of migration from different parts of the world.
- A first wave of Australian origin sailed across the Pacific Ocean through the Polynesian Islands, reaching the southern continent and settling in Patagonia, Argentina.
- A second wave of Malay and Polynesian origin crossed the ocean and arrived in Central America.
- A third wave from Mongolia (Asia) sailed through the Aleutian Islands and reached the coast of North America.
- A fourth wave, Eskimo, crossed the Bering Strait and settled in present-day Alaska.
Indo-Hispanic Period
The majority of the population was made up of Caribs, who were located in coastal areas. This period was initiated by clashes between Spanish and Indigenous people, starting the process of mixing between the Spanish, Indigenous people, and Africans.
Settlement of Venezuelan Territory
The vast majority of researchers who have studied the Indigenous past of Venezuela agree that the settlement of the country occurred through waves of migration from the south of the continent.
- The first wave consisted of hunters and gatherers from the mainland.
- The second wave consisted of fishermen, hunters, and gatherers from the mainland.
- The third wave, Arawaks, came from communities south of the continent and were distributed in small villages throughout the territory.
- The fourth wave moved from present-day Colombia to the Venezuelan Andes; these groups were organized in farming communities.
- The fifth wave, speaking Carib, came from the south and formed farming communities on the eastern coast.