A WORLD WITHOUT NOMADS: CHALLENGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIGENOUS CULTURES OF MESOAMERICA

Abstract

This article examines the history of Mesoamerica, focusing on specific aspects of indigenous societies. All these aspects are united by a common factor: the absence of nomadic groups, which significantly influenced the development of indigenous cultures. In turn, this highlights the role and importance of the nomadic element in fostering intercultural connections between various cultural centers, which eventually led to the creation of the unified transcontinental artery of the Old World—the Great Silk Road. Despite the remarkable achievements of Mesoamerican societies, these cultures were unable to establish a similar trade and cultural network, leading to their isolation, decline, and collapse of their unique civilizations.

Beyond trade, the absence of nomads in the cultural environment resulted in a general lag in the development of metallurgy, which saw its greatest advancements in specific regions. Similarly, military advancements, constrained by the availability of resources and the natural landscape, failed to reach a level that could withstand new invaders. All these interconnected reasons underscore the role and importance of nomadic economies as a foundation for the development of cultural societies in the Old World.