[Killing alligators]. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Die Ureinwohner Amerikas waren die ersten Bewohner Amerikas. Sie siedelten sich in verschiedenen Regionen an und bildeten unabhängige Stämme mit unterschiedlichen Kulturen. Bis 1492 gab es über 300 verschiedene Muttersprachen. Als Christoph Kolumbus am 12. Oktober 1492 landete, glaubte er, Indien erreicht zu haben, und nannte die Ureinwohner Indianer, ein Name, der ihnen eine kollektive Identität gab. Die Inder, so berichtete Kolumbus, "gehen so naiv und frei mit ihrem Besitz um, dass niemand, der sie nicht miterlebt hat, es glauben würde. Wenn man sie nach etwas fragt, das sie haben, sagen sie nie nein. Im Gegenteil, sie bieten an, mit jedem zu teilen "....

Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues (c. 1533 - c. 1588) was a French artist and explorer who accompanied the French expedition led by René Goulaine de Laudonnière to Florida in 1564. He is best known for his detailed illustrations of the flora, fauna and Native Americans he encountered during his time in Florida. Le Moyne was born in Dieppe, France, and trained as a Protestant artist. He was hired by Laudonnière to join the Florida expedition as an artist and cartographer. During his time in Florida, Le Moyne made numerous sketches and watercolours of the local wildlife, plants and landscapes. He also made detailed drawings of the Timucua, the indigenous people of the region. After the expedition ended in 1565, Le Moyne returned to France and produced a series of engravings based on his sketches and paintings. These engravings were published in 1591 in a book called Brevis narratio eorum quae in Florida Americae provincia Gallis acciderunt. The book was one of the earliest published accounts of the New World and was influential in shaping European perceptions of the Americas. Le Moyne's illustrations are highly regarded for their accuracy and attention to detail. They provide valuable insights into the natural history and culture of 16th-century Florida. Today, many of Le Moyne's original sketches and paintings are held in museums and archives around the world, including the British Museum and the Bibliothèque nationale de France.