The research area of "prehispanic" focuses on the study of Indigenous cultures and civilizations that existed in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. This area of research includes examining the societies, traditions, languages, art, and technological advancements of these civilizations, such as the Maya, Aztec, Inca, and many others. Researchers in this field use archaeological evidence, historical documents, and oral traditions to reconstruct and understand the complex societies that thrived in the Americas prior to European colonization. Studies in prehispanic research help to shed light on the rich and diverse cultures that existed before the impact of European conquest and colonization.