Early Humans and Domestication
The (Native) American Dream: The Complete History of Tahkoxia and Xuyuba
A summary of the Timeline so far:
The names Tahkoxia and Xuyuba refer to North and South America respectively. Tahkoxia comes from the Lenape word for turtle, referencing the old mythology of all land being on the back of a giant turtle. Xuyuba is an exonym created by the Mayans originally referring to the mountainous terrain of the western portion of the South American continent.
Additionally, the Opaneyunk Ocean refers to the Atlantic Ocean, the Xamarinaq Ocean refers to the Pacific Ocean, the Kikwinaq Sea refers to the Gulf of Mexico, and the Relibalqix Sea refers to the Caribbean Sea. The Assinwati Mountains refers to the Rockies, the Ketahtane Mountains refers to the Appalachians, the Antikunas refer to the Andes, and the Antiyu Rainforest refers to the Amazon Rainforest.
The most important change is this TL is the domestication of animals in the Americas following the end of the last ice age, some of which were hunted to extinction around that time, and some of which still exist today. Animals that are domesticated include the dog, the mountain goat, the Dall and bighorn sheep, the peccary, the woodland muskox (or woodox), the llama, the alpaca, cats from the leopardus genus, the turkey, the wild prairie chicken, the guinea pig, the capybara, ducks, geese, white-tailed deer, the (Hagerman) horse, and the camel(ops). Later domestication events include the stingless honeybee (domesticated by the Mayans) and the Polyphemus silk moth (domesticated by the Mishasipans (Mississippians)).
In the Antikuna Mountains, the first cities are built along the shore, with cities like Aspero and Yaparu. True civilization first arises in the river valleys of Peru 6,000 years ago, with cities such as Warikanda and Karal. Nobles and their courts would use writing, although most merchants would keep records using a series of knots on strings known as Kipu. Chulan of Karal would form the first empire at around 4,300 years ago, building roads and developing trade routes, but it falls apart because of the difficulty of centralization. This would begin a series of various cities building empires and conquering each other. Bronze Age Antikunan civilization would go into decline around 3,300 to 3,200 years ago due to various reasons.
Kikwinaq (Olmec) civilization rises around 5000 years ago, and proto-Mayan civilization arises soon after. Both go into decline around the same time as the Antikunas, and Mayan civlization enters a dark age from about 3,200 to 2,800 years ago while the Kikwinaq go extinct. Upon their resurgence, the Mayans innovate in math and astronomy. They invent the Long Count calendar (LC) based on the solar year, which becomes the calendar used in this TL. To convert from the Mayan Calendar to the Gregorian calendar, subtract 3114. To convert from Gregorian to Mayan, add 3114.
Throughout the 25th and 26th centuries LC, the two cities of Kalakmul (Calakmul) and Tikal are the main Mayan powers. In the south, Kaminalxuyu (Kaminaljuyu / Guatemala City) is the greatest power. Chaktumal (just south of Chetumal) is a major maritime power, and is home to the great scientist and mathematician Axilab, who calculates the circumference of the earth and determines the relationship between the moon and tides. Another major maritime power is Kuzamil (OTL island of Cozumel). Kuzamil and Chaktumal compete at sea, while Tikal and Kalakmul compete inland. On both the northern and southern shores, maritime powers compete for coastal territory and trade with foreign lands, with one of the most significant colonies being on the eastern portions of the island of Kubao (Cuba). From 2647 to 2650 LC, the Great Yokatan War is fought with Tikal and Kuzamil on one side and Chaktumal and Kalakmul on the other. Tikal and Kuzamil win the war, and Kuzamil incorporates Kalakmul and all of its territory into its empire. Kalakmul also becomes a shadow of its former self. Tikal suffers damage throughout the war and sees a major decline in its sphere of influence. This leaves Kuzamil in the north and Kaminalxuyu in the south as the two largest Mayan powers.
Following victory in the war, the local balance of power within Kuzamil shifts, causing the merchants to form an oligarchy in place of the monarchy. This would lead to riots and the formation of a tyranny led by General Chomaxu, who would abdicate the throne after transforming Kuzamil into a democracy. In 2678 LC, as part of a diplomatic effort between Kuzamil and Kaminalxuyu, the Etz’anakbe games in Nakbe are started and are similar to the Olympics. To the west, the city of Teotiwakan builds an empire and attacks the Mayan colony of Tinimit Q’inom (Veracruz) in 2719 LC, beginning a series of wars with the Mayans, one led by Emperor K’ulel, and another lead by Emperor Shibal a decade later. Kaminalxuyu would lead the fighting in the south, while Kuzamil would form the Mayapan league based in the city of Mayapan in the north. After the war, Kaminalxuyu would form the K’iche league in the south, starting a cold war.
During this golden age for Kuzamil, trade would increase, temples would be built, and theatre and philosophy would become increasingly popular. They would also build the city of Ok’owa on the isthmus separating Lake Cocibolca (Lake Nicaragua) and the Xamarinaq (Pacific) Ocean. This would end in 2785 LC, when Kaminalxuyu would declare war on Kuzamil, which would lead to the rise of Pa’nibal of Kubao and the start of a series of events known as the Great Convergence.
Meanwhile, in Eastern Tahkoxia (the Eastern woodlands of the US and Canada), Mishasipan civilization would arise on the Mishasipi River. It would become one of the most densely populated regions in the world with the abundance of productive arable land. Cities such as Nisipi (near Cairo, Illinois) and Kahokia (near OTL Cahokia and St. Louis Missouri) would become two of the most important early on. In 970 LC, After a great flood, the legendary Nipinwi Dynasty was the first to rule and would last until around 1500 LC, having expanded all the way north to Shikakwa (Chicago). The Ashwil Dynasty would rule from 1500 LC to 2016 LC, expanding as far south and east as OTL Memphis and Cincinnati respectively.
To the north, various cities formed trading kingdoms along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence. On the Mikmaq Peninsula (Nova Scotia), various Mikmaq trading kingdoms would grow wealthy trading tin and copper. Other east coast trading cities included Mashowomuk (Boston) and Aquidnet (Aquidneck Island). The most powerful trading cities on the east coast were those of the Lenape, with the most powerful being Manhattan and Sakamauchin (Philadelphia).
With the start of the Iron Age, the Wakisa Dynasty would overtake the Ashwil Dynasty in 2016 LC. They would expand south to the end of the river and build the city of Shawasha (New Orleans), beginning trade with the Mayans and other people to the south. They would also fight and make vassals of the Umesuri nomads to the west.
In the east, the Mikmaq trading kingdoms would go into decline, and Mikmaq sea people would raid along the OTL St. Lawrence River and East Coast. For protection, the cities of Manhattan and Sakamauchin would form the rival Munsi and Unami kingdoms respectively, and would colonies surrounding coastal areas. Each kingdom had a council of matriarchs elected by the nobility who would choose a king among the nobility.
In 2104 LC, the prophet Nanabozho began preaching on Mackinac Island, forming a monotheistic religion called Midewism around honoring the Great Spirit. The king tried to arrest him, but was struck down in a thunder storm. He chose a new king for the new Kingdom of Wigobiminis (later called Wigo) and his religion began to spread, particularly among peasantry before being adopted by noble classes. It was adopted as the official religion by the Wakisa Dynasty in 2582 LC. The Wakisa Dynasty would collapse in 2694 LC, resulting in the Period of Warring Dynasties
In 2542, the young Eholeh, born a Midewi deerherd who rose through the ranks to become a noble with the help of prophet Palao, became king of the Munsi. Soon after, he fought a war against the Unami and their Massachusett ally based in Mashowomuk to become king of all Lenape. His successors would build temples and statues and continue to expand along the east coast.
In the OTL American southwest, a variety of peoples, including the Zuni, the Tsiame, the Aakume, and the Yavapai would fight for power, building empire after empire. The Hopi Kingdom would remain mostly peaceful, worshipping their god Masawu and following in his peaceful ways. Their capital of Orayvi would be sacked by the Yavapai in 2530 LC. The Dineans (Navajo) would conquer the entire southwest starting in 2574 LC, defeating the Yavapai in 2579 LC and allowing the Hopi to return to Orayvi. The Dineans would also establish the port city of Tabaah (San Diego) in 2587 LC. The main homeland of the Dineans was called Dinetah, while they referred to the region of the southwest (minus lush California) as Lichi Keyah (Red Land). Their capital was the city of Dutlijas, centered around the cliffside Dah-Azka citadel (OTL Mesa Verde). They also tended to respect local customs rather than assimilating people.
Through trade coming in from the east across the Great Plains, Mishasipan Midewi texts would reach the Dineans. This faith would begin to spread, although it would remain a minority religion in the empire despite being adopted by many of the Dineans. It would also be adopted by the Hopi, who saw it as vindicating their own faith, causing the two to merge into the sect known as Masawism, which would become the dominant Midewi sect in the Dinean Empire.
In the land of Hutya Pirei (California, meaning Chaparral Land), shortened to Hutya, the city of Socoisuka (San Jose) would be founded by brothers Socois and Tagis and would be the center of the Tamyen kingdom. It would be conquered by the Miwoks and would be liberated just over a century later, becoming the center of a new republic. The Tamyen Republic would expand southward, coming into conflict with the Chumash to the south, who were based in the city of Sashpilil.
Meanwhile, the Mayapan league and K'iche league would go to war in 2785 LC. Initially, the K'iche league would have far more success, although the tide would turn in favor of Mayapan thanks to Pa'nibal, a general from the city of Habakwan (Havana) on Kubao who worked his way up from the son of two poor refugees who worked on the docks. After capturing Kaminalxuyu and winning the war 2788 LC, Pa'nibal would go on to overthrow the corrupt elites of the Mayapan league, declaring himself emperor in Mayapan in 2789 LC. From 2790 LC to 2796 LC, he would conquer the entirety of Central America, most of OTL Colombia and Venezuela, and the entirety of the Relibalqix (OTL Caribbean Islands). The one campaign where he failed would be his war with the Chavin Empire in the Antikunas, who possessed trebuchets and primitive incendiary weapons using sparkdust (OTL gunpowder).
In 2795 LC, the Puhan Plague would start in Teotiwakan, most likely originating from capybaras. The plague would quickly spread, killing Pa'nibal at the end of his final campaign conquering the remained of his home island in his native city of Habakwan in 2796 LC. In the ensuing power struggle, his 19-year-old son Xuluwem would seize the throne, defeating the regent who attempted to have him killed and putting down an insurgency in Kuzamil. Meanwhile, it was found that Midewists and Masawists who took part in the ritual of washing hands with alcohol died at a slower rate. Dinean Emperor Atahalne used this to justify the suppression of other traditional faiths. Meteinuwas, a Kechemeche (Cape May, NJ)-born medic working in Kiawah (Charleston, SC), would develop his own theories of medicine as a result, leading him to open an academy of medicine in the rapidly-growing Manhattan. The Inoka Dynasty in Mishasipa was attacked by the Kikapawa and Myamiaki Dynasties, leading to the Michigami War, which the Inoka won by conquering the lands of both.
In 2800 LC, Xuluwem started his next campaign of conquest by launching a conquest of Teotiwakan, landing troops in Q'inom while coordinating another push from the southeast. He would defeat emperor K'ulel II, conquering the city a little over a year later, and fully conquering the region in 2803 LC. Despite originally planning to invade the divided Mishasipa, he instead opted to continue northwest, conquering the entirety of the Dinean Empire between 2804 and 2807 LC. Meanwhile, the Inoka, lead by King Tetinshua Inoka and his top General Wisachakwa, conquered the Shawanoki Dynasty from 2805 LC to 2806 LC. In 2808 LC, Tetinshua would conquer the Chikasah Dynasty. In 2809 LC, Xuluwem would march east across the Kotsoi River (OTL Rio Grande along the US-Mexico border) and conquer the Karankawa along the OTL Gulf coast of Texas. He would begin to push east towards Shawasha as the Inoka worked their way south against the Kado and Chahta Dynasties. Xuluwem would capture Shawasha in 2810 LC, but after a massive hurricane and the arrival of the Inoka, he was forced to flee the city, losing many troops. The Inoka would push them back all the way across the Kotsoi River trough 2811 LC, conquering all of their territory as they did. Tetinshua would be crowned emperor in 2812 LC, and would move his capital south from Kahokia to Nisipi.
Xuluwem would return to Mayapan, greeted as a hero for his conquests, but still viewing himself as a failure. While tolerating other cultures, he would attempt to spread Mayan culture across his empire. He would build roads, increase boats going between the different ports and islands, and construct a canal just north of Ok'owa, seeing the relatively small city's population explode to become one of the biggest in the world as it expanded on both sides of the canal. He would die in 2848 LC, succeeded by his son, Kolonel. Inoka Mishasipa, meanwhile, became a massive powerhouse both politically and economically. It would invade the Muskogi Kingdom to the southeast (OTL Georgia with parts of Alabama and western Florida) in 2817 LC, with the King Ahaya agreeing to surrender and allow his people to be assimilated provided he could remain as the local governor. The Mishasipans would then go to war with the Lenape and Anivians in 2820 LC (OTL Cherokee who migrated east of the Appalachians and are ITTL in conflict with the Lenape), who work together to defeat them. The Lenape win with the leadership of moose cavalry leader Kwenshu in 2822 LC. He and his wife, Milana, take part in the delegation to Nisipi, which draws the border along the Savano (Savannah) River and the Ketatahne (Appalachian) Mountains. Afterwards, Kwenshu ends up becoming Lenape King, and Milana becomes Grand Matriarch of the assembly in 2832 LC. Together, they rebuild the infrastructure in the sprawling city of Manhattan, now reaching a population of one million, creating the worlds first complex public transit system. They also bring together multiple academies (including Meteinuwas's) that arise out of the new intellectual tradition in Lenape land, forming the Grand Academy of Manhattan (basically the world's first university). They also assimilate the newly conquered Anivians, and federalize the kingdom, reforming it into the Chinguelan Empire with Kwenshu as emperor in 2842 LC.
Meanwhile, new Mayapan Emperor Kolonel decided to conquer more land up against the rainforest in Xuyuba. In 2850 LC, he started another war with the Chavin Empire, which ended in another stalemate. 2857-8 LC, he attempts to conquer the Timucua Peninsula (Florida), having some initial success before being pushed out by the Mishasipans who had the same idea at the same time. His biggest failure, however, was when the pushing of Mayan gods onto the local Masawists in the north of the empire caused a revolt in 2863 LC. Dinetah, Hopia, and the Tabaah Kingdom would gain independence in 2867 LC. Kolonel would die in 2875 LC, and the empire would be split between Tunriachi in the Mayan homeland down through OTL Costa Rica and the OTL Greater Antilles; Resaxichox in OTL Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Lesser Antilles; Choxinel in the old lands of the Teotiwakan Empire (plus Q'inom), and Natatsaq in the lands of the former Dinean Empire.
12 years later in 2887 LC, Resaxichox, after fighting with the Tunriachians and failing to conquer Ok'owa, desired more conquests, turning to the east. He sent out an expedition led by Binel, to see what was around the mostly rainforest lands of Gyana (OTL Guianas), which are dominated by multiple Tupi peoples. Travelling east, he discovered the lands referred to as Aqala (eastern coastal region of Brazil including the Atlantic Forest). The lands got its name from what the Mayans refer to as the valuable aqal tree (brazilwood). Binel discovers the Yate Kingdom with its capital based in the city of Iguatu (Brazilian municipality of the same name), and helps King Tiuya win a civil war. He marries his daughter, Mbita, allowing him to become king following Tiuya's death in 2898 LC. He also founds the city of Binela (Salvador, Brazil) in 2890 LC. Meanwhile, Resaxichox would die in 2891 LC, at which point his son Balaam ended his father's desire for expansion. Colonization of the east, therefore, would become a private endeavor. A Mayan elite would come to mix with the local ruling families in Aqala, becoming dominant and owning a large amount of land for plantations and coastal trade, growing rich off of the growth of cocoa, Aqal trees, and a variety of local fruits and spices. Besides the Mayans, the primary ethnic groups in both Aqala and the Kunju grasslands (Cerrado) to the west were the indigenous Jes (such as the Yate) and the Hets descended from the Diwihets who migrated from the Qhantati grasslands (Pampas) in the south and built a nomadic empire around 2100 to 2200 LC when horses were introduced to the region. Tupis were also common along the northern coast. The dominant religion would be Aqalism, a fusion of various local religious customs, which would combine with the new Mayan religion. Whereas the people of Aqala are sedentary, the peoples of the grasslands to the east and south would be nomadic herders. Also unique to the region is the domestic rhea.
The names Tahkoxia and Xuyuba refer to North and South America respectively. Tahkoxia comes from the Lenape word for turtle, referencing the old mythology of all land being on the back of a giant turtle. Xuyuba is an exonym created by the Mayans originally referring to the mountainous terrain of the western portion of the South American continent.
Additionally, the Opaneyunk Ocean refers to the Atlantic Ocean, the Xamarinaq Ocean refers to the Pacific Ocean, the Kikwinaq Sea refers to the Gulf of Mexico, and the Relibalqix Sea refers to the Caribbean Sea. The Assinwati Mountains refers to the Rockies, the Ketahtane Mountains refers to the Appalachians, the Antikunas refer to the Andes, and the Antiyu Rainforest refers to the Amazon Rainforest.
The most important change is this TL is the domestication of animals in the Americas following the end of the last ice age, some of which were hunted to extinction around that time, and some of which still exist today. Animals that are domesticated include the dog, the mountain goat, the Dall and bighorn sheep, the peccary, the woodland muskox (or woodox), the llama, the alpaca, cats from the leopardus genus, the turkey, the wild prairie chicken, the guinea pig, the capybara, ducks, geese, white-tailed deer, the (Hagerman) horse, and the camel(ops). Later domestication events include the stingless honeybee (domesticated by the Mayans) and the Polyphemus silk moth (domesticated by the Mishasipans (Mississippians)).
In the Antikuna Mountains, the first cities are built along the shore, with cities like Aspero and Yaparu. True civilization first arises in the river valleys of Peru 6,000 years ago, with cities such as Warikanda and Karal. Nobles and their courts would use writing, although most merchants would keep records using a series of knots on strings known as Kipu. Chulan of Karal would form the first empire at around 4,300 years ago, building roads and developing trade routes, but it falls apart because of the difficulty of centralization. This would begin a series of various cities building empires and conquering each other. Bronze Age Antikunan civilization would go into decline around 3,300 to 3,200 years ago due to various reasons.
Kikwinaq (Olmec) civilization rises around 5000 years ago, and proto-Mayan civilization arises soon after. Both go into decline around the same time as the Antikunas, and Mayan civlization enters a dark age from about 3,200 to 2,800 years ago while the Kikwinaq go extinct. Upon their resurgence, the Mayans innovate in math and astronomy. They invent the Long Count calendar (LC) based on the solar year, which becomes the calendar used in this TL. To convert from the Mayan Calendar to the Gregorian calendar, subtract 3114. To convert from Gregorian to Mayan, add 3114.
Throughout the 25th and 26th centuries LC, the two cities of Kalakmul (Calakmul) and Tikal are the main Mayan powers. In the south, Kaminalxuyu (Kaminaljuyu / Guatemala City) is the greatest power. Chaktumal (just south of Chetumal) is a major maritime power, and is home to the great scientist and mathematician Axilab, who calculates the circumference of the earth and determines the relationship between the moon and tides. Another major maritime power is Kuzamil (OTL island of Cozumel). Kuzamil and Chaktumal compete at sea, while Tikal and Kalakmul compete inland. On both the northern and southern shores, maritime powers compete for coastal territory and trade with foreign lands, with one of the most significant colonies being on the eastern portions of the island of Kubao (Cuba). From 2647 to 2650 LC, the Great Yokatan War is fought with Tikal and Kuzamil on one side and Chaktumal and Kalakmul on the other. Tikal and Kuzamil win the war, and Kuzamil incorporates Kalakmul and all of its territory into its empire. Kalakmul also becomes a shadow of its former self. Tikal suffers damage throughout the war and sees a major decline in its sphere of influence. This leaves Kuzamil in the north and Kaminalxuyu in the south as the two largest Mayan powers.
Following victory in the war, the local balance of power within Kuzamil shifts, causing the merchants to form an oligarchy in place of the monarchy. This would lead to riots and the formation of a tyranny led by General Chomaxu, who would abdicate the throne after transforming Kuzamil into a democracy. In 2678 LC, as part of a diplomatic effort between Kuzamil and Kaminalxuyu, the Etz’anakbe games in Nakbe are started and are similar to the Olympics. To the west, the city of Teotiwakan builds an empire and attacks the Mayan colony of Tinimit Q’inom (Veracruz) in 2719 LC, beginning a series of wars with the Mayans, one led by Emperor K’ulel, and another lead by Emperor Shibal a decade later. Kaminalxuyu would lead the fighting in the south, while Kuzamil would form the Mayapan league based in the city of Mayapan in the north. After the war, Kaminalxuyu would form the K’iche league in the south, starting a cold war.
During this golden age for Kuzamil, trade would increase, temples would be built, and theatre and philosophy would become increasingly popular. They would also build the city of Ok’owa on the isthmus separating Lake Cocibolca (Lake Nicaragua) and the Xamarinaq (Pacific) Ocean. This would end in 2785 LC, when Kaminalxuyu would declare war on Kuzamil, which would lead to the rise of Pa’nibal of Kubao and the start of a series of events known as the Great Convergence.
Meanwhile, in Eastern Tahkoxia (the Eastern woodlands of the US and Canada), Mishasipan civilization would arise on the Mishasipi River. It would become one of the most densely populated regions in the world with the abundance of productive arable land. Cities such as Nisipi (near Cairo, Illinois) and Kahokia (near OTL Cahokia and St. Louis Missouri) would become two of the most important early on. In 970 LC, After a great flood, the legendary Nipinwi Dynasty was the first to rule and would last until around 1500 LC, having expanded all the way north to Shikakwa (Chicago). The Ashwil Dynasty would rule from 1500 LC to 2016 LC, expanding as far south and east as OTL Memphis and Cincinnati respectively.
To the north, various cities formed trading kingdoms along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence. On the Mikmaq Peninsula (Nova Scotia), various Mikmaq trading kingdoms would grow wealthy trading tin and copper. Other east coast trading cities included Mashowomuk (Boston) and Aquidnet (Aquidneck Island). The most powerful trading cities on the east coast were those of the Lenape, with the most powerful being Manhattan and Sakamauchin (Philadelphia).
With the start of the Iron Age, the Wakisa Dynasty would overtake the Ashwil Dynasty in 2016 LC. They would expand south to the end of the river and build the city of Shawasha (New Orleans), beginning trade with the Mayans and other people to the south. They would also fight and make vassals of the Umesuri nomads to the west.
In the east, the Mikmaq trading kingdoms would go into decline, and Mikmaq sea people would raid along the OTL St. Lawrence River and East Coast. For protection, the cities of Manhattan and Sakamauchin would form the rival Munsi and Unami kingdoms respectively, and would colonies surrounding coastal areas. Each kingdom had a council of matriarchs elected by the nobility who would choose a king among the nobility.
In 2104 LC, the prophet Nanabozho began preaching on Mackinac Island, forming a monotheistic religion called Midewism around honoring the Great Spirit. The king tried to arrest him, but was struck down in a thunder storm. He chose a new king for the new Kingdom of Wigobiminis (later called Wigo) and his religion began to spread, particularly among peasantry before being adopted by noble classes. It was adopted as the official religion by the Wakisa Dynasty in 2582 LC. The Wakisa Dynasty would collapse in 2694 LC, resulting in the Period of Warring Dynasties
In 2542, the young Eholeh, born a Midewi deerherd who rose through the ranks to become a noble with the help of prophet Palao, became king of the Munsi. Soon after, he fought a war against the Unami and their Massachusett ally based in Mashowomuk to become king of all Lenape. His successors would build temples and statues and continue to expand along the east coast.
In the OTL American southwest, a variety of peoples, including the Zuni, the Tsiame, the Aakume, and the Yavapai would fight for power, building empire after empire. The Hopi Kingdom would remain mostly peaceful, worshipping their god Masawu and following in his peaceful ways. Their capital of Orayvi would be sacked by the Yavapai in 2530 LC. The Dineans (Navajo) would conquer the entire southwest starting in 2574 LC, defeating the Yavapai in 2579 LC and allowing the Hopi to return to Orayvi. The Dineans would also establish the port city of Tabaah (San Diego) in 2587 LC. The main homeland of the Dineans was called Dinetah, while they referred to the region of the southwest (minus lush California) as Lichi Keyah (Red Land). Their capital was the city of Dutlijas, centered around the cliffside Dah-Azka citadel (OTL Mesa Verde). They also tended to respect local customs rather than assimilating people.
Through trade coming in from the east across the Great Plains, Mishasipan Midewi texts would reach the Dineans. This faith would begin to spread, although it would remain a minority religion in the empire despite being adopted by many of the Dineans. It would also be adopted by the Hopi, who saw it as vindicating their own faith, causing the two to merge into the sect known as Masawism, which would become the dominant Midewi sect in the Dinean Empire.
In the land of Hutya Pirei (California, meaning Chaparral Land), shortened to Hutya, the city of Socoisuka (San Jose) would be founded by brothers Socois and Tagis and would be the center of the Tamyen kingdom. It would be conquered by the Miwoks and would be liberated just over a century later, becoming the center of a new republic. The Tamyen Republic would expand southward, coming into conflict with the Chumash to the south, who were based in the city of Sashpilil.
Meanwhile, the Mayapan league and K'iche league would go to war in 2785 LC. Initially, the K'iche league would have far more success, although the tide would turn in favor of Mayapan thanks to Pa'nibal, a general from the city of Habakwan (Havana) on Kubao who worked his way up from the son of two poor refugees who worked on the docks. After capturing Kaminalxuyu and winning the war 2788 LC, Pa'nibal would go on to overthrow the corrupt elites of the Mayapan league, declaring himself emperor in Mayapan in 2789 LC. From 2790 LC to 2796 LC, he would conquer the entirety of Central America, most of OTL Colombia and Venezuela, and the entirety of the Relibalqix (OTL Caribbean Islands). The one campaign where he failed would be his war with the Chavin Empire in the Antikunas, who possessed trebuchets and primitive incendiary weapons using sparkdust (OTL gunpowder).
In 2795 LC, the Puhan Plague would start in Teotiwakan, most likely originating from capybaras. The plague would quickly spread, killing Pa'nibal at the end of his final campaign conquering the remained of his home island in his native city of Habakwan in 2796 LC. In the ensuing power struggle, his 19-year-old son Xuluwem would seize the throne, defeating the regent who attempted to have him killed and putting down an insurgency in Kuzamil. Meanwhile, it was found that Midewists and Masawists who took part in the ritual of washing hands with alcohol died at a slower rate. Dinean Emperor Atahalne used this to justify the suppression of other traditional faiths. Meteinuwas, a Kechemeche (Cape May, NJ)-born medic working in Kiawah (Charleston, SC), would develop his own theories of medicine as a result, leading him to open an academy of medicine in the rapidly-growing Manhattan. The Inoka Dynasty in Mishasipa was attacked by the Kikapawa and Myamiaki Dynasties, leading to the Michigami War, which the Inoka won by conquering the lands of both.
In 2800 LC, Xuluwem started his next campaign of conquest by launching a conquest of Teotiwakan, landing troops in Q'inom while coordinating another push from the southeast. He would defeat emperor K'ulel II, conquering the city a little over a year later, and fully conquering the region in 2803 LC. Despite originally planning to invade the divided Mishasipa, he instead opted to continue northwest, conquering the entirety of the Dinean Empire between 2804 and 2807 LC. Meanwhile, the Inoka, lead by King Tetinshua Inoka and his top General Wisachakwa, conquered the Shawanoki Dynasty from 2805 LC to 2806 LC. In 2808 LC, Tetinshua would conquer the Chikasah Dynasty. In 2809 LC, Xuluwem would march east across the Kotsoi River (OTL Rio Grande along the US-Mexico border) and conquer the Karankawa along the OTL Gulf coast of Texas. He would begin to push east towards Shawasha as the Inoka worked their way south against the Kado and Chahta Dynasties. Xuluwem would capture Shawasha in 2810 LC, but after a massive hurricane and the arrival of the Inoka, he was forced to flee the city, losing many troops. The Inoka would push them back all the way across the Kotsoi River trough 2811 LC, conquering all of their territory as they did. Tetinshua would be crowned emperor in 2812 LC, and would move his capital south from Kahokia to Nisipi.
Xuluwem would return to Mayapan, greeted as a hero for his conquests, but still viewing himself as a failure. While tolerating other cultures, he would attempt to spread Mayan culture across his empire. He would build roads, increase boats going between the different ports and islands, and construct a canal just north of Ok'owa, seeing the relatively small city's population explode to become one of the biggest in the world as it expanded on both sides of the canal. He would die in 2848 LC, succeeded by his son, Kolonel. Inoka Mishasipa, meanwhile, became a massive powerhouse both politically and economically. It would invade the Muskogi Kingdom to the southeast (OTL Georgia with parts of Alabama and western Florida) in 2817 LC, with the King Ahaya agreeing to surrender and allow his people to be assimilated provided he could remain as the local governor. The Mishasipans would then go to war with the Lenape and Anivians in 2820 LC (OTL Cherokee who migrated east of the Appalachians and are ITTL in conflict with the Lenape), who work together to defeat them. The Lenape win with the leadership of moose cavalry leader Kwenshu in 2822 LC. He and his wife, Milana, take part in the delegation to Nisipi, which draws the border along the Savano (Savannah) River and the Ketatahne (Appalachian) Mountains. Afterwards, Kwenshu ends up becoming Lenape King, and Milana becomes Grand Matriarch of the assembly in 2832 LC. Together, they rebuild the infrastructure in the sprawling city of Manhattan, now reaching a population of one million, creating the worlds first complex public transit system. They also bring together multiple academies (including Meteinuwas's) that arise out of the new intellectual tradition in Lenape land, forming the Grand Academy of Manhattan (basically the world's first university). They also assimilate the newly conquered Anivians, and federalize the kingdom, reforming it into the Chinguelan Empire with Kwenshu as emperor in 2842 LC.
Meanwhile, new Mayapan Emperor Kolonel decided to conquer more land up against the rainforest in Xuyuba. In 2850 LC, he started another war with the Chavin Empire, which ended in another stalemate. 2857-8 LC, he attempts to conquer the Timucua Peninsula (Florida), having some initial success before being pushed out by the Mishasipans who had the same idea at the same time. His biggest failure, however, was when the pushing of Mayan gods onto the local Masawists in the north of the empire caused a revolt in 2863 LC. Dinetah, Hopia, and the Tabaah Kingdom would gain independence in 2867 LC. Kolonel would die in 2875 LC, and the empire would be split between Tunriachi in the Mayan homeland down through OTL Costa Rica and the OTL Greater Antilles; Resaxichox in OTL Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Lesser Antilles; Choxinel in the old lands of the Teotiwakan Empire (plus Q'inom), and Natatsaq in the lands of the former Dinean Empire.
12 years later in 2887 LC, Resaxichox, after fighting with the Tunriachians and failing to conquer Ok'owa, desired more conquests, turning to the east. He sent out an expedition led by Binel, to see what was around the mostly rainforest lands of Gyana (OTL Guianas), which are dominated by multiple Tupi peoples. Travelling east, he discovered the lands referred to as Aqala (eastern coastal region of Brazil including the Atlantic Forest). The lands got its name from what the Mayans refer to as the valuable aqal tree (brazilwood). Binel discovers the Yate Kingdom with its capital based in the city of Iguatu (Brazilian municipality of the same name), and helps King Tiuya win a civil war. He marries his daughter, Mbita, allowing him to become king following Tiuya's death in 2898 LC. He also founds the city of Binela (Salvador, Brazil) in 2890 LC. Meanwhile, Resaxichox would die in 2891 LC, at which point his son Balaam ended his father's desire for expansion. Colonization of the east, therefore, would become a private endeavor. A Mayan elite would come to mix with the local ruling families in Aqala, becoming dominant and owning a large amount of land for plantations and coastal trade, growing rich off of the growth of cocoa, Aqal trees, and a variety of local fruits and spices. Besides the Mayans, the primary ethnic groups in both Aqala and the Kunju grasslands (Cerrado) to the west were the indigenous Jes (such as the Yate) and the Hets descended from the Diwihets who migrated from the Qhantati grasslands (Pampas) in the south and built a nomadic empire around 2100 to 2200 LC when horses were introduced to the region. Tupis were also common along the northern coast. The dominant religion would be Aqalism, a fusion of various local religious customs, which would combine with the new Mayan religion. Whereas the people of Aqala are sedentary, the peoples of the grasslands to the east and south would be nomadic herders. Also unique to the region is the domestic rhea.
Early Humans and Domestication
Given the fact that humans originated and evolved in Africa, it seems rather interesting that some of history’s most powerful civilizations would in part of the world that was an entire ocean away. However, it was not through this ocean that the people who would come to inhabit these landmasses would arrive. According to most anthropologists, humans most likely first entered the continent of Tahkoxia in the region of Alasaq at the northwestern end of the continent, crossing over from eastern Nemelan. It is believed that during the last ice age, sea levels fell enough to expose large tracts of land now sunken under the Unanga Sea. Anthropologists at first believed that this crossing occurred as soon as 15,000 years ago, although as more evidence was found, this time became pushed further and further back. The most recent evidence indicates that such a crossing much more likely took place anywhere between 40,000 and 25,000 years ago. It is believed that most of the fertile land further south, however, including regions such as modern Hutya and Mishasipa, was not settled until around 16,000 years ago. After this point, human expansion into the continent was quite rapid. Although it is difficult to find clear evidence, the continent of Xuyuba was settled as early as 15,000 years ago via the Plokieb land-bridge.
In either case, this question regarding the relatively recent settlement on the ironically-named “Old World” brings into question the history of the domestication of the old world canines. The earliest known remains of domesticated dogs in the Old World can be found in Alasaq approximately 20,000 years ago. However, anthropologists, biologists, and paleontologists to this day still debate as to whether canine domestication occurred first in the New World before being brought over the land bridge, or whether New World domestication occurred independently in Tahkoxia.
Fortunately, such confusion does not exist over other domestication events, all of which took place with the end of the Ice Age, following the point at which the people of the Old World had already settled across both continents. Maize was most likely first domesticated in the Teotihuacan Valley in Tollana around 11,000 years ago. Maize originally would have been a grass with hard, inedible seeds, and was most likely harvested for its fibrous husks. Over time, the plant would undergo a domestication process to become a primary staple of agriculture across both continents. Potatoes and beans would be domesticated around 10,000 years ago in the Antikuna Mountains of Xuyuba, and squash and calabash would have been domesticated at around the same time either in Mayapan or somewhere on the Plokieb land bridge. Squash would also undergo a separate domestication event around 9,000 years ago. Over time, various other plants would come to be domesticated and spread far and wide, including cassava, leafy chenopods, quinoa, wild rye and barley, wild rice, avocados, grapes, both the northern and southern varieties of strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, tomatoes, peppers, cotton, cocoa, vanilla, guavas, papayas, pineapples, passion fruits and other plants.
However, equally important to the domestication of plants to these ancient people’s was the domestication of animals. It’s believed that the earliest form of livestock to be domesticated was the mountain goat, which was domesticated as far back as 12,000 years ago by people of the Assinwati mountains. The Dall sheep would be tamed in the same region around a thousand years later, with the bighorn sheep being domesticated around the same time a bit further south. These two species would heavily interbreed to become the Old World domesticated sheep. The peccary would be domesticated around 10,500 years ago in several places, those being on the Plokieb landbridge and on the edge of the Antiyu Rainforest. The woodland muskox, or woodox, would also undergo domestication around 10,000 years ago, with one domestication event taking place up north in the woodlands of Mishasipa and another taking place likely around the Tollan heartland. Around the same time, various domestication events occurred in the western Xuyuba. The llama and alpaca were both domesticated around this time. The Geoffroy’s cat (as well as several other small cats of the Leopardus genus that would mix with the Geoffoy’s cat (primarily the Kodkod)) would domesticate itself most likely by hunting rodents that would attempt to feed on the plants grown by humans. The turkey would be domesticated all across Tahkoxia around 9,000 years ago, and the guinea pig would be domesticated around the same time in western Xuyuba. The prairie chicken would be domesticated around the same time by the eastern edge of the Great Plains. The capybara would be domesticated at the edge of the Antiyu Rainforest around where the forest met the Antikuna mountains around 7,500 years ago. The first ducks in the Old World would be domesticated around 6,000 years ago along the southeastern seaboard of Tahkoxia. Around the same time, there is evidence of the first deer being raised and domesticated to the northeast. The way this was accomplished still puzzles anthropologists, considering how the domestication of deer never took place in the New World. It’s likely that there was a single domestication event by ancient humans who were trapping dear as part of a hunting practice and would successfully keep the animals penned in to be raised as livestock. Such an event most likely to place in the Lenape region. Meanwhile, the first horses were being domesticated, most likely from the wild Hagerman Horse on the northwestern Great Plains, while the first camelops were being domesticated in the Great Basin. The Canada goose would be the last major livestock animal to be domesticated in northeastern Mishasipa to the south of the Great Lakes.
The domestication of these plants and animals would provide the necessary foundations to allow future Tahkoxian and Xuyuban civilizations to rise.
Pictured: Wild Mountain Goat with kid, ancestor to the domesticated Old World goats.
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