Final answer:
There is minimal knowledge of many pre-Columbian civilizations due to the destruction of knowledge by the Spanish, teaching biases, and the lack of written records.
Step-by-step explanation:
There is only minimal knowledge of many pre-Columbian civilizations due to various reasons:
- The destruction of knowledge by the Spanish conquistadors: The Spanish destroyed the knowledge base of the Maya and Aztec people, leading to the loss of their advanced astronomy, calendar, and engineering technology. This loss can only be understood through anthropology, archaeology, and relearning the culture.
- Teaching biases: Focusing only on the largest and most well-known cultures leaves out the rich history and art of other pre-Columbian civilizations. To understand the origins and transformations of art, students need to learn about the sequential structures of history and the relationships between cultures.
- Lack of written records: Many pre-Columbian civilizations did not have a written language, making it challenging for historians to reconstruct their history. Written documents play a crucial role in understanding various aspects of a culture, and without them, certain elements remain unknown.