Gradual migration of Bantu-speaking peoples from their homeland in what is now southern Nigeria and the Camaroons into most of eastern and southern Africa, a process that began around 3000 BCE and continued for several millennia. The agricultural techniques and iron working technology of these farmers gave an advantage over the gathering and hunting people they encountered.

The dominant center of an important Mississippi valley mound-building culture, located near present-day St. Louis, Missouri; flourished from about 900 to 1250 CE.

name given to a major process of settlement and societal organization that occurred in the period 860-1130 CE in what is now northwestern New Mexico; the society formed is notable for its settlement in large pueblos and for the building of hundreds of miles of roads (the purpose of which is not known).

Andean town that was the center of a large Peruvian religous movement from around 900 to 200 BCE.

A major civilization of Mesoamerica; flourished from 250 to 900 CE

City in southern Nubia that was the center of Nubian civilization between 300 BCE and 100 CE.

An important regional civilization of Peru that was governed by warrior-priests; flourished from around 100 to 800 CE.

Members of any of a number of cultures that developed east of the Mississippi River in what is now the United States and that are distinguished by their large earthen structures, which were built during the period 2000 BCE to 1250 CE.

Distinctive city-based civilization that flourished from about 300 BCE to 900 CE in the floodplain of a river and that included major cities like Jenne-jeno; this civilization is particularly noteworthy for its apparent lack of centralized structures, having been organized instead in clusters of economically specialized settlements.

Ruler of Kush (r. 752-721 BCE) who conquered Egypt and reunited it under his rule.

The largest city of pre-Columbian America, with a population between 100,000 and 200,00; seemingly built according to a plan in the Valley of Mexico, it flourished between 300 to 600 CE during which time it governed or influenced much of the surrounding region. Its name is an Aztec term meaning "city of the gods."

Two states that flourished between 400 and 1000 CE in the highlands of modern Bolivia and Peru. At their height they possessed urban capitals, with populations in the tens of thousands, and productive agricultural systems.

Micronesian island where an urban complex, constructed from stone and coral, served as the ceremonial, administrative, and burial center of a powerful Saudeleur dynasty that governed the island for several centuries.

Two concepts found in Oceania's religious life. One was a spiritual energy or power that was associated especially with chiefs and was demonstrated by remarkable actions or great success. The other was the ritual restrictions or prohibitions practiced in order to maintain purity of the spiritual energy or power.

High-ranking island in western Micronesia involved in a system of exchange with the other islands in the Caroline Island chain. They traded sea turtles, coconuts, and breadfruits. This powerful island periodically received payments of woven cloth, coconut products, mats, and shells from island of lesser rank. In return, this island gave to its subordinates gifts that exceeded the value of their tribute.

island society in the central Pacific with widespread military and commercial influence. Some scholars see it as an incipient empire, while others view it as a tributary network or a system of economic interdependence.