Dogs had been domesticated in every part of the Western Hemisphere by the time Columbus arrived. Archaeologist believe that they first came over from Asia by way of the Bering Strait, and that this occurred sometime between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago. They also believe that Native Americans domesticated the wolf. In fact, the Malamute dog, which was developed by Native Americans is a very close genetic relative of the wolf.

The ancestor of the modern corn plant is a wild grass called teosinte. Teosinte grows wild on the Honduran/ Guatemalan border, and in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range in Mexico. Teosinte can be popped like popcorn, or ground into flour. The first corn cobs only had six to ten kernels. Archaeologist have found intact corn cobs in the Tehuacan Valley of Mexico that date back to 5000 B.C. Furthermore, from their excavations they know that corn was cultivated in this valley as long ago as 8000 B.C. Corn was able to develop in size by using the process of seed selection. The creation of corn, which no longer can grow wild on its own, required extensive weed cultivation and watering. Its demand led to the building of irrigation canals and farming terraces throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Ancient Aztec, Maya, and Inca dentists drilled teeth using a bow drill. The drill bow was also used for finely crafted stone work, such as jade jewelry, and it was also used to start fires. The bits for the drill were made from metal, and mounted in a shaft. Then it was rotated by the bow. Bits were usually hollow and made from copper. They came in different diameters, and were usually an inch in length. The diameter depended on the size of the job.

All three, the Maya, Inca, and Aztec used the tiny coccid insect to produce the brilliant color of crimson. This color dye, which is called cochineal, became an important trade item between the New World and Europe. It became so valuable in the New World that only gold and silver were worth more. The coccid insects only grow where there are prickly pear cactus. It is believed that the Mayans started harvesting them more than 2000 years ago. The process is fairly simple, dye makers start by selecting only the female bugs that have reached between 2 to 5 millimeters in length. Next they are boiled, dried, and ground into powder. Not only did they get the color red, but they also were able to make the colors pink, purple, and orange.

The most highly sought feathers came from the macaw, parrot, hummingbird, and quetzal. Macaw feathers came in red, blue, green and yellow colors. Quetzal feathers, which are bright green and blue, were the most prized. The word quetzal is Aztec in origin, and in their native language of Nahuatl is means, “feathers, precious, and beautiful.” In some cultures only the king and his family were allowed to wear and use quetzal feathers.

Archaeologists state that the oldest piece of pottery ever excavated in the Western Hemisphere was found in Puerto Hormigas, Columbia. Carbon dating tells us that it was made sometime around the year 3000 B.C. This ancient pottery was always made of clay and it was heated so it would not absorb water. Heated pottery is called ceramics. Native Americans used three types of ceramic techniques, molding, modeling, and coiling. Sometimes a combination of the three was used. The first ceramics came in a variety of sizes and were largely used for storage and cooking.

Most historians believe that the Inca were the best of the stone masons. Their carved stones were placed together so tightly that it was impossible to put a razor blade between them. The Inca had three basic levels of stone masonry. The first was called “Pirka,” this was a rustic form of masonry largely used in the construction of terraces, store houses, and the homes of commoners. Empty spaces between the stone blocks were filled with adobe mortar, and small stones. The second level was the Cellular style, and it was much more refined. The Cellular style used medium sized stones that were made into polygons that interlocked. The top level of masonry was called Imperial Inca, and it involved horizontal rows or rectangular stones that perfectly fit together.

Weaving was extremely important to the Maya, Inca, and Aztec. It was valued so much that in the ancient Maya, Inca, and Aztec empires it was used as currency. Almost every woman in the Inca empire wove, and the creation of textiles was so important that large areas in towns were devoted solely to the factory-like production of cloth. Kurakas and chiefs distributed fiber to weavers who were obligated to make clothing for their own families as well as army uniforms for the military.

The Olmec are considered to be the oldest Mesoamerican traders. Largely, they traded rubber balls, and waterproof materials that were made of latex. The Maya began trading on the Yucatan sometime around 600 A.D. Over the next 300 years they developed an elaborate system of trade that was based on the seacoast. The center of Mayan trade was Cerros, Belize. Cerros could be reached by two rivers and it served as a junction for Caribbean trade routes. Also, the Mayans built towns and ports near naturally protected bays. The most popular trade items were salt, cotton, spices, feathers, and cacao. Archaeologist have discovered obsidian at Mayan excavations that has come from as far away as central Mexico, almost 900 miles away. Also, turquoise excavated from Los Cerrilos, New Mexico, has been uncovered in the Guatemalan low lands. We also know from excavations in Chaco Canyon and elsewhere, that the Mayans traded with the Anasazi in the United States Southwest. We know this because macaw feathers and pyrite mirrors have been excavated.

Petroglyphs or rock drawings are the earliest writing form found in the Western Hemisphere. Petroglyphs can be found all over North America. The ancient Maya and Aztec were known to write on cloth and deerskin. The Maya also carved hieroglyphics in stone. However, mostly the Aztec and Maya wrote on paper. The paper, which came from the wild fig tree, was called amate. It was stripped from the bark with stone knives, and then boiled in an alkaline solution until the fibers separated. Then, it was beaten until it was pliable and could be made into sheets. Paper was in such great demand that communities sprang up where the fig trees were growing. Different towns produced different types and colors of paper. Most of the paper ended up as books or was used in religious ceremonies.