Pre-Columbian horse evidence challenges standard archaeological narratives. Horse skeleton found in mound at Aztalan, Wisconsin by state archaeologist Archaeologist assumed it was a farmer's pet horse from 1800s without dating Native American oral tradition holds they had horses before Spanish
A horse skeleton found in Wisconsin at Aztalan was assumed by some to be an 1800s farmer's pet without scientific dating. Recent research (Smithsonian, 2023) suggests Native Americans were using horses of European descent earlier than previously thought, raising questions about old assumptions. Indigenous oral traditions about horses vary by nation. The Ho Chunk word for horse can reference dogs, reflecting the animal's role in society. Small wild horses called 'spirit horses' exist on Sable Island, Canada. 🐴
Note: Horses went extinct in North America at the end of the Pleistocene ~10,000 years ago. Current evidence shows Indigenous peoples acquired horses after European contact, though some nations' oral histories maintain different narratives about their relationship with horses.
Key Facts
- Horse skeleton found in mound at Aztalan, Wisconsin by state archaeologist
- Archaeologist assumed it was a farmer's pet horse from 1800s without dating
- Native American oral tradition holds they had horses before Spanish
- Ho Chunk word for horse literally means 'big dog'
- Small horses called 'spirit horses' still exist in Canada
- Pomita stated Native Americans had small horses used as pack animals before Spanish arrived
- Chinese had similar small ponies (Shetland ponies) used to pull carts
- Horses were widespread in North America for millions of years before Younger Dryas extinction
Related site: Calan / Kalan / Klandorf / Pusztakalan / Aquae — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: The Shaman and The Philosopher by Institute for Natural Philosophy