Historical Dictionary of Ancient South America

Ancient South America was settled more than 12,000 years ago, according to the archaeological evidence, and the descendants of these first settlers have populated and adapted themselves to the varied geography of the regions of South America over the proceeding centuries. In South America the geography ranges from the Argentinean vast grasslands to the Amazon with its huge river basins, the high Andean mountains and Tierra del Fuego – the end of the world. It is in this varied environment, at times apparently inhospitable, that many civilisations have successfully made their homes.

In describing the indigenous people of South America,...