The documentary “America Before Columbus” embarks on a captivating exploration, unraveling the hidden truths of the pre-Columbian Americas. While history books often depict this era as a pristine wilderness untouched by human presence, scientific evidence paints a vastly different picture. Contrary to popular belief, when Christopher Columbus set foot on American soil in 1492, he encountered a land already home to millions of people. The Americas were not a “New World” but a very old one, teeming with civilizations that had built a sprawling infrastructure of cities, orchards, canals, and causeways.
One intriguing aspect highlighted in the film is the significant ecological impact resulting from the arrival of European settlers. The English brought honeybees to the Americas primarily for their honey, unaware that these bees would also play a crucial role in pollinating orchards along the East Coast. As a result, many plants introduced by Europeans, such as apples and peaches, flourished due to the feral honeybees. This unforeseen consequence of human activity on the environment demonstrates the intricate and sometimes unexpected interconnectedness of ecosystems.
The documentary delves further into the disappearance of large mammals, such as North American mammoths and ancient horses, around 12,000 years ago. These extinctions created a void in the continent’s ecosystem, which was later filled by the introduction of horses during Columbus’s voyage in 1493. The settlers’ encounters with a land brimming with abundant fish-filled rivers and the transformative impact of South American potatoes on European populations are also explored, shedding light on the profound influence of the Americas on global history.
In the pre-Columbian era, the Americas had few domesticated animals, and llamas served as the primary beast of burden. The film emphasizes that, contrary to common perception, the Americas were home to a larger population than Europe in 1491. The first conquistadors were sailors and adventurers who entered a crowded and managed landscape, not a pristine wilderness. The documentary reveals the stark contrast between the barren Chaco Canyon we see today and its previous state, covered in lush vegetation. It also unravels the impact of European colonization, which brought not only crops like wheat but also weeds like dandelions to the Americas.
Furthermore, the film sheds light on the domestication of the turkey, believed to have originated in pre-Columbian Mexico and absent in Europe in 1491. By 1500, European settlers and their introduced plants and animals had significantly altered the landscape of the Americas. Crops such as beans, potatoes, and maize, which originated in the Americas, became major staples in continental Europe, forever transforming agricultural practices and culinary traditions.
“America Before Columbus” uncovers a forgotten past, challenging the prevailing narratives of an untouched wilderness. It invites viewers to reevaluate their understanding of the pre-Columbian Americas, unveiling the vibrant civilizations that flourished long before Columbus’s arrival. The documentary illuminates the complex web of ecological and cultural exchanges, inviting contemplation on the lasting impact of colonization and the dynamic interplay between societies and their environments.