Book excerpt: Historical Atlas of Native Americans is a detailed and comprehensive exploration of the social, political, and geographical history of the indigenous peoples or North America. With beautiful, computer-generated maps and charts based on the latest academic research, readers can see the original positioning of Native American peoples before the arrival of Europeans. Traditional language groups and trade routes are charted, along with their enforced movements to make way for colonizers. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of women in tribal society, the traditional familial and societal structures of Native Americans, and their diverse cultural values and practices. The atlas starts with the early migration of peoples across the Bering Land Bridge and follows how they spent their lives before European settlers arrived. This thorough guide includes detailed chapters on the remarkable civilizations of the Incas, Maya, and Aztecs, as well as the lesser-known Mississippian society, the Hohokum, and the Anasazi. The creation stories of different people, their art and culture, plus kinship and the way their societies were constructed are discussed, while maps show the complex trade routes that crossed the continent and the different languages they spoke. The book explores the crucial first contacts with European colonists, as well as the sometimes hostile interactions they had with explorers like the Vikings and Christopher Columbus. Over 100 color photographs and illustrations help illuminate the events that have shaped Native American history.