Prehispanic source materials are forms of evidence remaining from the Pre-Columbian period, the time before Spanish colonization, before written records had been kept. The Pre-Columbian period covers the continuum of ancient indigenous culture in Central and South America, dating back to 12,000 BCE. These sources provide archaeological, historical, and art historical information on native societies before contact with Europeans. Prehispanic source materials include objects and documents, artifacts, buildings, and ruins. These materials lend vital evidence to the study of indigenous languages, cultures, and beliefs. Objects made of clay and stone, pottery and tools reveal names, dates, topics, and places. Documents often written on perishable materials, are devoted to accounting, record keeping, and religious teaching. Archaeological sites contain stone murals, sculptures, and buildings that tell us more about their civilizations. Prehispanic source materials have been collected and preserved, studied, and analyzed over centuries by scholars. They remain vital to understanding the complex and diverse history of pre-Columbian societies in Central and South America.