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(01.01 lc) how were the native peoples of the americas living prior to european contact? they were organized into two large empires of the incas and the aztecs. they had not developed into advanced forms of civilization. they relied primarily on nomadic herding of domesticated animals for their sustenance. they were divided into many diverse cultures speaking more than 2,000 different languages.

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Final answer:

Native American societies prior to European contact were diverse, with both highly organized empires such as the Inca and Aztecs, and smaller tribal groups with different subsistence strategies and social structures throughout North America.

Step-by-step explanation:

Prior to European contact, the Native American societies were highly diverse and culturally rich, encompassing a wide array of lifestyles and social structures. While some groups, like the Inca and Aztec, had developed vast empires with intricate political systems and large urban centers, many others like the peoples in North America were organized into tribes with varying degrees of complexity. In North America, various subsistence strategies were employed, ranging from farming, as seen with the Puebloans who grew maize, to hunting and gathering among groups such as the Inuit. The continent itself was home to an estimated seventy-five million people, speaking more than 2,000 different languages and organized into more than 500 identifiable groups, indicating a vast and complex network of societies with rich cultural heritages.

User BigBob
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Prior to coming in contact with European people, the native civilizations were living nomadic lives. These livelihoods thrived off the land, with mutual respect for resources, and contributed to their constant moving to find where the resources were prevalent.
User Lku
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