The Americas: Before and After Columbus

Program Description

The Spaniards arrived in 1492 and from then the world changed forever. Columbus and the Spanish Empire provoked two big events: one, was the annihilation of more than 85% of the indigenous population by carrying the deadly virus of smallpox with them and the second one, the first globalisation of food and animal species. SCHEDULE: 2 Thursdays, May 9 and 23, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM This presentation will take place online. You will receive a link to the class by email 24 hours before the presentation begins. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: After studying Fine Arts, Maria Chester decided to go deeper and studied Art History becoming a Professor in Pre-Columbian Civilizations. From her first passion, that was Cave Art and Rock Art she developed an interest in Archaeology, and this has served as a frame for her ongoing research. She is multilingual and enjoys travelling. She taught in several South American universities as well as private institutions. Maria has served as the National Subject Adviser on American Archaeology to The Third Age Trust and joined East Berwickshire U3A where she became its Chairperson. In 2015, she became a founding member of the IC-International Committee to The Third Age Trust, in the United Kingdom. In May 2016 she was elected Secretary General of AIUTA- International Association of Universities of the Third Age. She also tutors regular courses on Art History for BEA-Berwick Educational Association.