The Ancient Americas

Overview

Few difference in social status existed in hunter-gatherer and farming villager communities. Village sites often show rooms of similar size and equal access to resources and goods. No particular individual or group appeared to have greater rank. In these communities, all people shared in the decision-making process. But in some societies, certain individuals or select groups of people began making decisions for the community as a whole.

Benefits of Powerful Leadership
Why did people give up the power to control certain aspects of their life? Because decision-making by a large group can be inefficient. Complex projects such as building monumental architecture, creating political alliances, waging war, and managing resources often require more centralized organization.

In addition to managing large-scale projects, some leaders also served as mediators and used religion to enhance their authority. Many leaders also served as judge and jury, resolving social disputes within the community.

To learn more about some societies with powerful leaders and how this change in decision-making affected their lives, check out the Transition to Leadership Video, with Dr. Antonio Curet.

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Evidence of Powerful Leadership
Several clues tell archaeologists that ancient villages had handed over power to a strong, centralized group or leader:

	Symbols of rank, such as objects made of semi-precious stones or metals, found in graves and residences, indicate that leaders had exercised privilege in the selection of luxury goods and foods. A difference in the scale and style of homes also provides evidence of a developing class structure and shows leaders differentiating themselves from the rest of society.
	Goods made from exotic or precious resources, such stone and metals, often imported from far away, indicate that strong leaders had set up extensive networks through which their community exchanged materials with people near and far. The quality of craftsmanship also indicates that some members of society began to specialize in craft-making part-time.
	Monumental architecture, such as elaborate irrigation systems, roadways, burial grounds, plazas, and ceremonial centers, indicates that powerful leaders had organized the labor necessary to build such massive or complex structures.

While many groups throughout the Americas continued consensus or family-centered ways of making decisions, several diverse societies showed signs that they now had powerful leaders in place to make and guide the implementation of major community decisions.

Continue to Societies with Symbols of Rank. >>