Discover the Fascinating Creatures Encountered by Early Modern Europeans in Iberian America

When Early Modern Europeans set foot in Iberian America during the Age of Exploration, they encountered a diverse range of creatures that were completely unlike anything they had ever seen before. From majestic land animals to fascinating marine life, the New World was a treasure trove of exotic and unfamiliar creatures.

The Land Creatures of Iberian America

Iberian America was home to a remarkable variety of land animals that both amazed and baffled early European explorers. One notable creature was the capybara, the largest living rodent in the world. With its peculiar appearance and semi-aquatic nature, the capybara left many Europeans astounded.

Another creature that caught the attention of early explorers was the Quetzal, a vibrantly colored bird with long tail feathers found in the forests of Central America. Admired for its beauty and mystical association with gods, the Quetzal became a sought-after specimen for European collectors.

A New World of Animals: Early Modern Europeans on the Creatures of Iberian America

by Miguel de Asúa (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4498 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	268 pages

FREE

Additionally, the jaguar, a powerful predator endemic to the region, intrigued early modern Europeans. Its impressive strength and stealthy nature made it both a respected and feared creature among local indigenous communities and European explorers alike.

The Marine Life of Iberian America

As the Europeans explored the coasts of Iberian America, they were introduced to an entirely new array of marine creatures. One such creature was the manatee, a large, herbivorous mammal that often resides in shallow, warm waters. Its gentle nature and peculiar appearance fascinated early European seafarers.

The brightly colored coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea were also an impressive sight for these explorers. The multitude of fish species, including the flamboyant parrotfish and the striking blue tang, mesmerized the Europeans with their vibrant hues and peculiar shapes.

Furthermore, the famous sea turtles, particularly the green and loggerhead turtles, made a lasting impression on early modern Europeans. They were not only admired for their graceful movements but were also prized for their meat and valuable shells, which became highly sought-after commodities back in Europe.

The Impact on European Society

The encounters with these fascinating creatures from Iberian America had a lasting impact on European society. Through various accounts and illustrations, these animals provided Europeans with new knowledge about the natural world and sparked curiosity about the vast diversity of life on Earth.

Furthermore, the valuable resources obtained from some of these creatures, such as fur, meat, and shells, stimulated trade between Europe and the Americas. The demand for these exotic commodities led to increased exploration and colonization, ultimately shaping the future course of history.

The creatures of Iberian America intrigued and captivated the early modern Europeans who ventured into the New World. From the vast landscapes to the enchanting marine ecosystems, each encounter with these extraordinary creatures left a lasting impression. By exploring and understanding these encounters, we can gain insights into the impact they had on European society and their contributions to the scientific understanding of the natural world.

A New World of Animals: Early Modern Europeans on the Creatures of Iberian America

by Miguel de Asúa (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4498 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	268 pages

FREE

Many Early Modern Europeans who during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries travelled to the New World left written or pictorial records of their encounters with a surprising fauna. The story told in this book is woven out of the threads of those texts and pictures. A New World of Animals shows how the initial wonder at the new beasts gave way to a more utilitarian approach, assessing their economic and medical potential. It elucidates how shifts in European perceptions brought the animals from the realm of the fantastic into the mainstream of early modern natural history, while at the same time changing the way in which Europeans saw their own world. Indeed, the chronicles and treatises of those who in the wake of the discovery arrived in the new lands tell as much about the particular interests and mental worlds of the writers as about the 'new animals'. This book traces the amazement of the first explorers and colonizers, the chronicles of soldiers and Indians, the 'natural histories of the New World', the place of animals in the network of economic interests driving the early expansion of Europe, the views of the missionaries and those of natural philosophers and physicians. Taking the reader from the Brazilian forests to the erudite cabinets of the Old World, from Patagonia to the centres of empire, the story of the discovery of the unexpected menagerie of the New World is also an exploration of Early Modern European imagination and learning.