Final answer:
Indigenous communities in South America developed in isolation due to geographical barriers, the impacts of European colonization, repressive settlement practices, and 12,000 years of independent development before contact with Europeans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many indigenous communities in South America developed as isolated groups due to a combination of factors throughout history. The geographical diversity of South America, consisting of the Andes mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and vast deserts, created natural barriers that led to the development of isolated groups, each adapting to their unique environments. These various topographies fostered distinct cultural, linguistic, and social differences among indigenous populations.
After European colonization, the indigenous communities faced significant upheaval. Indigenous people frequently relocated to avoid conflict, escape oppression, and preserve agricultural production as they confronted European diseases, violence, and economic exploitation. Groups that opposed challenging economic conditions and forfeiture of resources within their lands experienced violent repression, reinforcing their isolation. The introduction of the plantation system also contributed to the displacement and fragmentation of indigenous communities as Europeans took control of the best land and resources.
The legacy of European colonization, along with the introduction of Africans through the slave trade, induced a complex social and cultural landscape in South America. This included the process of creolization, where indigenous, European, and African customs and traditions blended. Despite such blending, many indigenous communities remained marginalized and retained their distinct, often isolated, identities.
Additionally, the Americas' separation from Eurasia for approximately 12,000 years meant that these communities developed independently, resulting in unique societal structures and agricultural innovations tailored to local conditions. Complex societies such as those found in Colombia, alongside the Aztec, Maya, and Inca, exhibited significant local similarities in terms of art and architecture, further indicating isolation and independent development.