Curated Video
Fishing and Agricultural Techniques of the Calusa People
By the time of Spanish contact, the Calusa supported a population of around 20,000 through a sophisticated and diverse subsistence system centered on fishing, foraging, and small-scale gardening. They primarily targeted small fish using...
Curated Video
Expansion of the Calusa Civilization in Southern Florida
During the Kusahatchee period, archaeologists begin to confidently trace the emergence of the Calusa through increased coastal interaction, foreign pottery styles, and permanent mound-building settlements like Pineland and Mound Key....
Curated Video
The Roots of the Calusa Civilization in Southwest Florida
Archaeological evidence from sites like Warm Mineral Springs and Useppa Island shows that early inhabitants of Southwest Florida, including the Calusa ancestors, relied heavily on marine resources as early as 11,000 years ago. Over time,...
Curated Video
Who Were the Calusa of Southern Florida?
The Calusa of ancient South Florida thrived in a unique coastal environment, developing a powerful and stratified society without relying on maize agriculture—a rarity among complex North American cultures. They leveraged the rich...
Curated Video
Decline of the Wari Empire
The Wari Empire declined gradually in the 10th century, as administrative centers were abandoned and buildings were symbolically closed. While the exact cause is unclear, possibilities include climate change, internal unrest, or the end...
Curated Video
No Single Cause: The Collapse and Resilience of the Maya
The Maya collapse didn’t have one clear cause—it happened in different ways across different regions. While war, environmental stress, and power struggles all played a role, the real story is how the Maya responded by transforming their...
Curated Video
After the Collapse: A New Maya World Emerges
The Maya collapse wasn’t just a Maya event—many other major cities in Mesoamerica fell around the same time. In the Postclassic period that followed, royal power faded and many cities shifted to shared rule by noble families, trade moved...
Curated Video
Foreign Influence and Final Clues: A Changing Maya World
During the 9th century, foreign styles in art, pottery, writing, and buildings began to show up in Maya cities—especially those trying to bounce back. Some rulers even showed themselves with both Maya and foreign features, suggesting...
Curated Video
War and Violence During the Maya Collapse
As the Maya civilization neared its collapse, warfare became more intense and brutal in some regions, with some cities being destroyed and elites massacred. Evidence from sites like Kiuic and Aguateca shows that violence overwhelmed...
Curated Video
Power Shift: How Maya Nobles Rose as Kings Lost Control
In the late 700s and early 800s, Maya nobles started gaining more power as royal authority began to weaken. At cities like Copán and Yaxchilan, nobles built their own monuments and played bigger roles in government, which had been...
Curated Video
Did Drought Doom the Maya Civilization?
A major drought hit the Maya region around 800 CE, putting serious pressure on farming and water supplies in many cities. While some scientists believe this drought helped cause the Maya collapse, others point out that many cities in...
Curated Video
How Environmental Factors Contributed to the Maya Collapse
During the late 700s and early 800s, environmental changes began to affect Maya cities. Some of these problems may have been caused by the Maya themselves - deforestation and soil overuse may have led to food shortages and population...
Curated Video
The Rise of Northern Maya Cities
Even as many Maya cities fell during the 9th century, some places like Caracol, Seibal, and sites in the northern Yucatán managed short-lived comebacks. These cities built monuments and revived traditions for a while, but most eventually...
Curated Video
Did the Maya Civilization Actually Collapse?
At the start of the 9th century, the Maya civilization went through a major crisis—cities were abandoned, kings lost power, and populations dropped sharply. This period, known as the Maya collapse, wasn’t the end of the Maya people, but...
Professor Dave Explains
The Eastern Mediterranean Part 1: The Canaanites and Israelites (2000 – 1000 BCE)
We've covered the first civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and other nearby areas. Now it's time to cover the earliest known civilizations in the region known as Canaan, so we will be looking at the Canaanites and Israelites. The...
Makematic
What is History?
What is History and how do we study it? Explore the difference between primary and secondary sources, why it’s important to search for more than one source and why learning about our past can tell us more about our present.
Curated Video
Adams Synchronological Chart or Map of History: I Have Some Strong Opinions About It!
Adams Synchronological Chart or Map of History: I Have Some Strong Opinions About It!
Curated Video
Second Battle of Philippi, 42 BC Rise of Caesar Augustus (Part 5) Ancient History DOCUMENTARY
Second Battle of Philippi, 42 BC Rise of Caesar Augustus (Part 5) Ancient History DOCUMENTARY
Curated Video
From Pirate Queen to High Society: the Legacy of Zheng Yi Sao
In 1810, Zheng Yi Sao's pirate forces unexpectedly surrendered, possibly due to their overwhelming power which likely assured them they wouldn't face punishment. This decision followed internal cracks within their confederation and...
Curated Video
The Strategic Decision: Why Hannibal Didn't Attack Rome After Lake Trasimene
This video explores the pivotal moment in history when Hannibal, after achieving a series of remarkable victories in Italy, decided not to march on Rome despite being just 130 kilometers away. Delving into the strategic and tactical...
Curated Video
Hannibal's Conquest: From Iberia to the Alps
This video details the rise of the legendary Carthaginian general Hannibal, showcasing his military genius and strategic prowess as he navigates through battles and sieges in the 2nd Punic War. From his early victories in Iberia to his...
Curated Video
Greatest Asian Dynasties | Top 10 Countdown
Greatest Asian Dynasties | Top 10 Countdown