Summary
Authoritative yet accessible, the Encyclopedia of Precolonial Latin America (Prehistory to 1550s) covers the history and culture of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean from prehistory through the achievements of the Incas in the 16th century. This volume offers in-depth A-to-Z entries, drawing readers into the histories of these ancient civilizations as well as the daily lives and achievements of the many peoples who occupied the area during this period.
The encyclopedia begins with an introduction to the precolonial period, followed by a detailed chronology. A collection of primary source documents gives a firsthand account of the major developments of the era. A glossary, suggested readings, and dozens of color images and maps round out this attractive and reliable resource.
Entries include:
- Amazon women
- Clovis culture
- Christopher Columbus
- Copán
- Dyes and dyewoods
- Huayna Cápac
- Maize
- Maya
- Pirates and piracy
- Pulque
- Treaty of Tordesillas
- Zapotecs.
About the Author(s)
Volume editor J. Michael Francis, Ph.D., associate professor of Latin American history at the University of North Florida, earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of Cambridge. He serves as book review editor for the journal Ethnohistory and has published several books on Latin American history, including Invading Colombia and Politics, Murder, and Martyrdom in Spanish Florida.
General editor Thomas M. Leonard, Ph.D., is distinguished professor emeritus at the University of North Florida where he established and directed the International Studies Program and taught courses in Latin American history and U.S. foreign policy. He received a bachelor's degree from Mount St. Mary's University, an M.A. from Georgetown University, and a Ph.D. from American University. Among Leonard's publications on U.S.-Latin American relations are The United States and Central America, 1944–1949; Panama, the Canal and the United States; Latin America during World War II; and United States-Latin American Relations, 1850–1903. He also authored the Encyclopedia of Cuban-United States Relations and two unique reference works: Day By Day: The Forties and Day By Day: The Seventies. Leonard received the presidential medal from his undergraduate alma mater, Mount St. Mary's University, in recognition of his contributions to the academic community.