Colombia the precursor to the Americas
Settlement in Colombia traces back very far in history. Research has demonstrated that Colombia had established settlements before Christopher Columbus and other Europeans embarked on the journey to the Americas. The Museo Del Oro Banco de la Republica provides insight on the early settlements in Colombia. It states that “traces have been found of these early settlers dating back to 16,000 years” (2012). This hypothesis is formulated because humans crossed the Bering Strait while they hunted animals this resulted in humans finding “vast expanses of territory, with rich and varied natural environments that provided them with sustenance” (2012). This sustenance was provided by the land and “for thousands of years they had no need to cultivate the land, as they could live of what nature offered them” (2012). Research also suggests that “5,000 years ago, many groups decided to settle, and put their extensive knowledge of their surroundings to cultivate the land” (2012). From the extensive history Colombia has been a location where people have inhabited and thrived.
According to Jared Diamond’s theory detailed in the documentary Guns, Germs and Steel the inhabitants of Colombia put in to practice his ideologies by cultivating the land and creating settlements. The Museo Del Banco de la Republica also states that “[settlers] appointed leaders and chieftains to arrange and order their political and ritual lives” (2012). This indicates that the settlements were highly structured and they had developed a way to sustain their settlements. The Museo Del Banco de la Republica also states that gold became prominent in the settlement which reiterates the idea that Jared Diamond conveys in the documentary because resources are a prominent reason that a settlement can thrive. Since gold was a prominent resource in Colombia this would eventually lead to conquest by the Spanish, who as Jared Diamond states “[travel] in search of gold and glory” (2005). Eventually the resources that Colombia had would attract Europeans who wanted to take advantage of the excellent resources.
An extensive study detailed by the American Journal of Physical Anthropology titled “Human Skeletal Remains From Sabana de Bogota, Colombia: A Case of Paleoamerican Morphology Late Survival in South America?” provides extensive evidence that the early settlers in South America were primarily in Colombia. The research states that “74 human skulls dated between 11.0 And 3.0 kyr, recovered in seven different sites of Sabana de Bogota, Colombia” (Neves, 2007, p.1080). The study reveals that the early settlers in Colombia had a diet that consisted of “small and medium animals, complemented by [a] vast array of plant items” (Neves, 2007, p.1082). The study proceeds to discuss the differences in cranial morphology between people in the Americas and East Asia. The journal discussed the importance of Sabana de Bogota because of its “high density of early archeological sites, many of them presenting well-preserved burials” (Neves, 2007, p.1081). The journal also breaks down the history of Colombia into three main periods which include Preceramic period, Early Agriculture, and Late Agriculture. The research demonstrates that the Abriense people developed instruments with “the use of bone and wood as raw material” (Neves, 2007, p.1082). The research states that the settlement patterns began to change in Sabana de Bogota “as hunter-gathering was supplemented… by cultivation” (Neves, 2007, p.1082). This detail indicates that the early settlers of Colombia experienced an evolution in the way that they sustained their settlements. The research also shows that “rock-shelters discontinued being the preferred loci for establishment of habitation sites. The new sites were then located in terraces, demanding the construction of simple hive-like houses” (Neves, 2007, p.1082). The journal also indicates that an exchange of goods was prevalent with those settled in the Magdalena River Valley. With the exchange of goods and tools that advanced the cultivation process the Muisca people went from small cultivation of maize to “maize…, beans, potatoes, and squash. They were also capable of using all available land in the surroundings as cultivation fields independent of the altitude” (Neves, 2007, p.1082). This extensive research gives a lot of details of the ways that early settlers survived in Colombia. Jared Diamond extensively explained that resources are crucial to the development of a settlement. Colombia had what the early settlers required to thrive and their processes eventually evolved. The settlers were drawn to the land because of the favorable conditions they observed and eventually they learned to use their resources and knowledge to begin cultivating the land, use tools and create homes.
The Embassy of Colombia also provides insight on the early settlements in Colombia. Each source varies because of new archeological research that gives a greater understanding of the early settlements within Colombia. The Embassy states that “the first inhabitants of modern day Colombia arrived in 10,000 BC, and lived in the area that is now the capital city of Bogota” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). The development of these settlements was very significant because it displayed incredible development with “towns and stone paths, enigmatic statues, burial urns and impressive gold and pottery” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). The article mentions the Muisca Indians who were early settlers in Colombia. The Muisca Indians took advantage of their resources which included gold. Their skill and use of gold may have prompted their conquest by the Europeans which began in early 1600s. This source details that the “Spaniards began to settle in Colombia, and many towns were established” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). Many things occurred when the Spaniards started to settle in Colombia first “land was distributed among the conquerors, and the exploration of salt, gold and emerald mines was organized” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). The people living in Colombia lead to the diverse population which included “Spanish colonizers, the Native Indians and African slaves” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). Colombia has a very significant influence of Spanish culture and the “capital of the Spanish viceroyalty was established in Bogota” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). Bogota has been very significant in Colombia’s history from the early settlements to modern day. Cartagena also played a significant role in Colombia’s history because it was “coveted by the English for its strategic position on the coast and for being the principal marketplace for slaves in the New World” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). Colombia had people who settled very early and people who sought the natural resources such as the Spanish.
The resources a location provides as exemplified by Jared Diamond in the documentary can often lead to demise for the inhabitants. Colombia was colonized by the Spanish the article, The Invasion and Conquest of Colombia, states the arrival of “Alonso de Ojeda… in Colombia… gave rise to the El Dorado myth; that there existed a magical city where everything was made of gold” (2014). The Spanish settlement began “in 1525 [by] a man named Rodrigo de Bastidas [who] founded the first proper settlement in the territory: Santa Maria” (2014). The Spanish settlement had land for cultivation and it was a port city. The article explains that “for reasons unknown, Bastidas also set about killing all the indigenous people” (2014). The conquest of the indigenous people is a topic that is extensively covered in the documentary Guns, Germs and Steel. Europeans had to kill and devastate the Indigenous communities in order to take what they wanted which in this case was gold and to control the territory. In 1550 the Spanish King Charles V “issued a decree that established a court of justice at Bogota, naming it the Royal Audience of the New Kingdom of Granada” (2014). This would be prevalent into the 18th century. Population in Colombia has evolved significantly from the earliest settlements and the Spanish colonization today Colombia has other conflicts that are very important such as drug trading. The CIA World Factbook informs that “Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830” (CIA). The ethnic groups range from mestizo, white, mulatto, black, mixed black-Amerindian and Amerindian according to the CIA World Factbook. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia which are involved in drug trading have changed the population because the violence associated with drug trafficking has led to increased emigration.
Colombia has many sought after resources which allowed the Indigenous people to thrive and also led to their demise when the Spanish began to colonize Colombia. With all the evidence gathered it is evident the primary reason that Colombia was a prominent entrance to South American was because of the natural resources that were of high value. Jared Diamond explained extensively throughout Guns, Germs and Steel that resources are crucial to the development of a settlement. Colombia was not near the Fertile Crescent nor did goods travel from east to west as Jared Diamond explains in the documentary. South America is very different from Eurasia ideas and goods do not travel east to west they would most likely travel north to south because of the orientation of the continent. Although Colombia was very far away from Eurasia and Africa where settlements began, Colombia provided the resources necessary for early settlements.
References
CIA. The World Factbook. South America:: Colombia. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/co.html
Diamond, J. (2005). Episode Two: Conquest- Transcript. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/show/transcript2.html
Embassy of Colombia. (2012). Pre-Columbian Era. Retrieved from http://www.colombiaemb.org/node/1331
Neves, W. A., Hubbe, M., & Correal, G. (2007). Human Skeletal Remains from Sabana de Bogota, Colombia: A Case of Paleoamerican Morphology Late Survival in South America?. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 133(4),
(2012). First Settler in America and Colombia. Retrieved from http://www.banrepcultural.org/gold-museum/first-settlers-in-america-and-colombia
(2014). The Colonization of Colombia. Retrieved from http://www.donquijote.org/culture/colombia/history/colonization-of-colombia.asp
According to Jared Diamond’s theory detailed in the documentary Guns, Germs and Steel the inhabitants of Colombia put in to practice his ideologies by cultivating the land and creating settlements. The Museo Del Banco de la Republica also states that “[settlers] appointed leaders and chieftains to arrange and order their political and ritual lives” (2012). This indicates that the settlements were highly structured and they had developed a way to sustain their settlements. The Museo Del Banco de la Republica also states that gold became prominent in the settlement which reiterates the idea that Jared Diamond conveys in the documentary because resources are a prominent reason that a settlement can thrive. Since gold was a prominent resource in Colombia this would eventually lead to conquest by the Spanish, who as Jared Diamond states “[travel] in search of gold and glory” (2005). Eventually the resources that Colombia had would attract Europeans who wanted to take advantage of the excellent resources.
An extensive study detailed by the American Journal of Physical Anthropology titled “Human Skeletal Remains From Sabana de Bogota, Colombia: A Case of Paleoamerican Morphology Late Survival in South America?” provides extensive evidence that the early settlers in South America were primarily in Colombia. The research states that “74 human skulls dated between 11.0 And 3.0 kyr, recovered in seven different sites of Sabana de Bogota, Colombia” (Neves, 2007, p.1080). The study reveals that the early settlers in Colombia had a diet that consisted of “small and medium animals, complemented by [a] vast array of plant items” (Neves, 2007, p.1082). The study proceeds to discuss the differences in cranial morphology between people in the Americas and East Asia. The journal discussed the importance of Sabana de Bogota because of its “high density of early archeological sites, many of them presenting well-preserved burials” (Neves, 2007, p.1081). The journal also breaks down the history of Colombia into three main periods which include Preceramic period, Early Agriculture, and Late Agriculture. The research demonstrates that the Abriense people developed instruments with “the use of bone and wood as raw material” (Neves, 2007, p.1082). The research states that the settlement patterns began to change in Sabana de Bogota “as hunter-gathering was supplemented… by cultivation” (Neves, 2007, p.1082). This detail indicates that the early settlers of Colombia experienced an evolution in the way that they sustained their settlements. The research also shows that “rock-shelters discontinued being the preferred loci for establishment of habitation sites. The new sites were then located in terraces, demanding the construction of simple hive-like houses” (Neves, 2007, p.1082). The journal also indicates that an exchange of goods was prevalent with those settled in the Magdalena River Valley. With the exchange of goods and tools that advanced the cultivation process the Muisca people went from small cultivation of maize to “maize…, beans, potatoes, and squash. They were also capable of using all available land in the surroundings as cultivation fields independent of the altitude” (Neves, 2007, p.1082). This extensive research gives a lot of details of the ways that early settlers survived in Colombia. Jared Diamond extensively explained that resources are crucial to the development of a settlement. Colombia had what the early settlers required to thrive and their processes eventually evolved. The settlers were drawn to the land because of the favorable conditions they observed and eventually they learned to use their resources and knowledge to begin cultivating the land, use tools and create homes.
The Embassy of Colombia also provides insight on the early settlements in Colombia. Each source varies because of new archeological research that gives a greater understanding of the early settlements within Colombia. The Embassy states that “the first inhabitants of modern day Colombia arrived in 10,000 BC, and lived in the area that is now the capital city of Bogota” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). The development of these settlements was very significant because it displayed incredible development with “towns and stone paths, enigmatic statues, burial urns and impressive gold and pottery” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). The article mentions the Muisca Indians who were early settlers in Colombia. The Muisca Indians took advantage of their resources which included gold. Their skill and use of gold may have prompted their conquest by the Europeans which began in early 1600s. This source details that the “Spaniards began to settle in Colombia, and many towns were established” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). Many things occurred when the Spaniards started to settle in Colombia first “land was distributed among the conquerors, and the exploration of salt, gold and emerald mines was organized” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). The people living in Colombia lead to the diverse population which included “Spanish colonizers, the Native Indians and African slaves” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). Colombia has a very significant influence of Spanish culture and the “capital of the Spanish viceroyalty was established in Bogota” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). Bogota has been very significant in Colombia’s history from the early settlements to modern day. Cartagena also played a significant role in Colombia’s history because it was “coveted by the English for its strategic position on the coast and for being the principal marketplace for slaves in the New World” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). Colombia had people who settled very early and people who sought the natural resources such as the Spanish.
The resources a location provides as exemplified by Jared Diamond in the documentary can often lead to demise for the inhabitants. Colombia was colonized by the Spanish the article, The Invasion and Conquest of Colombia, states the arrival of “Alonso de Ojeda… in Colombia… gave rise to the El Dorado myth; that there existed a magical city where everything was made of gold” (2014). The Spanish settlement began “in 1525 [by] a man named Rodrigo de Bastidas [who] founded the first proper settlement in the territory: Santa Maria” (2014). The Spanish settlement had land for cultivation and it was a port city. The article explains that “for reasons unknown, Bastidas also set about killing all the indigenous people” (2014). The conquest of the indigenous people is a topic that is extensively covered in the documentary Guns, Germs and Steel. Europeans had to kill and devastate the Indigenous communities in order to take what they wanted which in this case was gold and to control the territory. In 1550 the Spanish King Charles V “issued a decree that established a court of justice at Bogota, naming it the Royal Audience of the New Kingdom of Granada” (2014). This would be prevalent into the 18th century. Population in Colombia has evolved significantly from the earliest settlements and the Spanish colonization today Colombia has other conflicts that are very important such as drug trading. The CIA World Factbook informs that “Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830” (CIA). The ethnic groups range from mestizo, white, mulatto, black, mixed black-Amerindian and Amerindian according to the CIA World Factbook. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia which are involved in drug trading have changed the population because the violence associated with drug trafficking has led to increased emigration.
Colombia has many sought after resources which allowed the Indigenous people to thrive and also led to their demise when the Spanish began to colonize Colombia. With all the evidence gathered it is evident the primary reason that Colombia was a prominent entrance to South American was because of the natural resources that were of high value. Jared Diamond explained extensively throughout Guns, Germs and Steel that resources are crucial to the development of a settlement. Colombia was not near the Fertile Crescent nor did goods travel from east to west as Jared Diamond explains in the documentary. South America is very different from Eurasia ideas and goods do not travel east to west they would most likely travel north to south because of the orientation of the continent. Although Colombia was very far away from Eurasia and Africa where settlements began, Colombia provided the resources necessary for early settlements.
References
CIA. The World Factbook. South America:: Colombia. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/co.html
Diamond, J. (2005). Episode Two: Conquest- Transcript. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/show/transcript2.html
Embassy of Colombia. (2012). Pre-Columbian Era. Retrieved from http://www.colombiaemb.org/node/1331
Neves, W. A., Hubbe, M., & Correal, G. (2007). Human Skeletal Remains from Sabana de Bogota, Colombia: A Case of Paleoamerican Morphology Late Survival in South America?. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 133(4),
(2012). First Settler in America and Colombia. Retrieved from http://www.banrepcultural.org/gold-museum/first-settlers-in-america-and-colombia
(2014). The Colonization of Colombia. Retrieved from http://www.donquijote.org/culture/colombia/history/colonization-of-colombia.asp
Maps
This map illustrates Colombia as we know today and it is important to be aware of the location of Bogota because it has significantly influenced Colombia today and in the early settlements that originated in that area. I have annotated the map with a star so that the attention is drawn to the location of Bogota. Even today everything radiates from Bogota and it is just as important today as it was in the early settlements.
(2008). Colombia. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/cia-maps-publications/map-downloads/Colombia_Physiography.pdf
(2008). Colombia. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/cia-maps-publications/map-downloads/Colombia_Physiography.pdf
This map details the location of gold in Colombia. Gold was very important for the early settlers and for the Spanish colonizers. The abundance of gold in Colombia makes it a territory that is very valuable and that is why the Spanish decided to colonize and remove many ingenious people.
(2010). About White Gold Corporation. Retrieved from http://whitegoldcorp.com/
(2010). About White Gold Corporation. Retrieved from http://whitegoldcorp.com/
Other Resources
http://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/colombia
This website is an excellent resource it gives valuable information on the history of Colombia as well as the economy, government, culture and also provides a timeline of significant events.
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=ab81
This website is an excellent resource because it describes Colombia’s history during the Spanish settlements.
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/content/kids/en_US/explore/countries/colombia/
This National Geographic Website for kids is a wonderful classroom resource. It provides great information on the history, geography, people and culture as well as government and economy. As a future teacher who would want to communicate the significant of population and settlement for a country like Colombia this is an excellent resource.
This website is an excellent resource it gives valuable information on the history of Colombia as well as the economy, government, culture and also provides a timeline of significant events.
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=ab81
This website is an excellent resource because it describes Colombia’s history during the Spanish settlements.
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/content/kids/en_US/explore/countries/colombia/
This National Geographic Website for kids is a wonderful classroom resource. It provides great information on the history, geography, people and culture as well as government and economy. As a future teacher who would want to communicate the significant of population and settlement for a country like Colombia this is an excellent resource.
POpulation Pyramids
This population period shows the year 2010 which shows that the total population is 46,444,000. The ratio between men and women seems to be equally distributed. A majority of the population is young from 0-34 which encompasses the highest percentages. The older population encompasses the lowest percentages in the population.
(2012). Colombia 2010. Retrieved from http://populationpyramid.net/colombia/
(2012). Colombia 2010. Retrieved from http://populationpyramid.net/colombia/
This population period shows the year 2060 which shows that the total population is estimated to be 63,940,000. The ratio between men and women is projected to be equally distributed. The population is evenly distributed in the different age groups. The only group who encompasses the lowest percentages is the older population. The largest percentage is encompassed by the 35-54 year olds. This estimate is logical because in 2010 the largest population was comprised by young people and in 50 years they would be in their 50’s.
(2012). Colombia 2010. Retrieved from http://populationpyramid.net/colombia/2060/
(2012). Colombia 2010. Retrieved from http://populationpyramid.net/colombia/2060/