Question: What were Native American (indigenious) cultures like prior to the arrival of Europeans? Europeans grouped all indigenious people together and called them "Indians," does that seem accurate or was there more diversity amoung tribes than the Europeans realized?

Expert answer

The answer to this question is quite complex, as there was a great deal of diversity among Native American cultures prior to the arrival of Europeans. While it is true that Europeans lumped all indigenous peoples together and called them "Indians," there was actually a great deal of variation among different tribes. Some tribes were more nomadic, while others had more settled lifestyles. Some tribes were warlike, while others were more peaceful. The beliefs and customs of each tribe also varied widely.

In general, however, most Native American cultures shared some basic similarities. For example, many tribes believed in a spirit world and had ceremonies and rituals designed to connect with this realm. Family and community were also important parts of Native American life, and many tribes had strong traditions of hospitality and sharing. Of course, there were also many differences among Native American cultures, and these are what made each one unique.