Final answer:
Around 900 AD, the Post-Classic Era was marked by the progress of civilizations such as the Ancestral Puebloans in North America, the Khmer Empire in Southeast Asia, and the Song Dynasty in East Asia. Other notable cultures included the societies on Rapa Nui, the kingdoms in Africa like the Igbo of Nigeria and Djenne of Mali, and the early stages of the Incan Empire in South America.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major Civilizations of the Post-Classic Era around 900 AD
The Post-Classic era, around the year 900 AD, saw the development and flourishing of major civilizations across different continents. In the Americas, after the Mayan Classic Period, which lasted from approximately 250-900 AD, the region witnessed the continuity and emergence of sophisticated cultures like the Ancestral Puebloans in North America, who were known for their remarkable pottery, architecture, irrigation techniques, and religious traditions. This period extended from approximately 700 CE to 1300 CE and included the development of influential sites like Mesa Verde.
Additionally, the Khmer Empire in Southeast Asia, centered around modern-day Cambodia, reached its peak between 802 CE and 1431 CE, constructing monumental architectures such as the legendary temple complex of Angkor Wat. In East Asia, the Song Dynasty (960 CE - 1276 CE) represented a pinnacle of Chinese culture and technological advancements, including the creation of gunpowder and the compass. During this era, Japan also experienced significant cultural development through the Asuka, Nara, and Heian periods.
Moving to the Pacific, the society on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) was establishing its unique and remarkable culture characterized by the iconic moai statues. Furthermore, Africa saw the rise of the influential kingdoms of the Igbo in Nigeria and Djenne in Mali. In South America, the foundations of the Incan Empire were also being laid, which would later come to dominate much of the continent before the European conquest. All these civilizations shaped the cultural and political landscapes of their respective regions, leaving a lasting heritage that influences our world to this day.