AP Content Area 5 Overview Guide: Indigenous Americas

1000 B.C.E.–1980 C.E.

About geography and chronological periods in Native American art

“Native American” is a broad term encompassing many diverse groups—learn how we organize this section.

Too many assumptions persist about Native American arts and cultures—start here to disentangle fact from fiction.

A glossary related to AP Content 5: Indigenous Americas

Deserts, jungles, and mountains—the architectural and artistic practices of this region were broad and varied.

The inhabitants of the Andes developed a stunning visual tradition that lasted over 10,000 years before the Spanish invasion in 1532.

Mesoamerica was anything but homogenous—people in this region spoke more than 125 different languages!

Why are the names of two Italians used to describe the sophisticated cultures before the arrival of the Europeans?

This essay provides a broad overview of the different periods of Mesoamerican history.

As independent city-states, the ancient Maya lacked a centralized power but shared a common belief system.

The Mexica people formed their capital when they saw the sign they had been promised: an eagle perched on a cactus.

The Inka empire spanned from Ecuador to Chile, and was connected by a road system used for official business only.