America: The Underworld in Afro-Eurasian Antiquity

By Dr. Michael Witzel

The Beautiful West: America the Underworld in Afro-Eurasian antiquity

by Lisa Odham Stokes

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	63240 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	387 pages
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In his groundbreaking new book, America: The Underworld in Afro-Eurasian Antiquity, Dr. Michael Witzel presents a compelling case for intercontinental contact between ancient Afro-Eurasian civilizations and the Americas. Through a meticulous examination of shared cultural, religious, and linguistic traditions, Witzel argues that these connections were not limited to isolated instances of transoceanic travel but rather were part of a sustained and widespread exchange of ideas and beliefs.

Witzel's research draws upon a vast array of evidence, including archaeological artifacts, mythological texts, and linguistic comparisons. He demonstrates that many of the foundational myths and rituals of ancient American cultures have striking parallels in Afro-Eurasian traditions. For example, the concept of an underworld ruled by a serpent-like deity, found in both Mesoamerican and Andean mythologies, is also present in ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian beliefs. Similarly, the widespread use of maize in American cultures can be traced back to its domestication in Southeast Asia.

These connections are not limited to broad cultural themes but also extend to specific linguistic similarities. Witzel identifies a number of words and phrases that are shared between Afro-Eurasian and American languages, suggesting that there was direct contact between speakers of these languages in antiquity. For example, the word for "father" in the Maya language is "at," which is cognate with the Proto-Indo-European word *pəter-. Similarly, the word for "dog" in the Quechua language is "allqu," which is cognate with the Proto-Indo-European word *ḱwṓ.

Witzel's findings challenge conventional historical narratives that have long dismissed the possibility of significant intercontinental contact before the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. By presenting a wealth of evidence from multiple disciplines, he demonstrates that the Americas were not isolated from the rest of the world in antiquity but were instead a vibrant and interconnected part of global civilization.

America: The Underworld in Afro-Eurasian Antiquity is a groundbreaking work that will revolutionize our understanding of the ancient world. Witzel's meticulous research and compelling arguments provide a convincing case for intercontinental contact between ancient Afro-Eurasian civilizations and the Americas, and shed new light on the origins and development of civilizations across the globe.

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The Beautiful West: America the Underworld in Afro-Eurasian antiquity

by Lisa Odham Stokes

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	63240 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	387 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE