History of Panama *
Pre-Columbian Panama
The Spanish conquest
The Colonial Era
Prehistoric Stages
HUNTING, GATHERING AND FISHING (10,000 to 3,000 BC). It is the oldest period, known as the Stone Age.
FORMATIVE AGRICULTURE (3,000 to 1,500 BC). Man continues his evolution
ESTABLISHED AGRICULTURE (1,500 to 300 BC): for this time there is no doubt the intensive agriculture of corn in Panama.
EXTENSIVE AGRICULTURE (300 BC until the Conquest): coincides with the arrival of the Spanish conquerors.
Location and Geographic Conditions.
The first inhabitants settled on the Panamanian isthmus approximately 11,000 years ago.
In central provinces the chiefs Esquina, Urraca, París, Escoria, Natá and Chirú were distinguished.
Cultural Manifestations and Social Customs.
Depopulation: the people that existed from Darién to Nombre de Dios, crossing the South coast there, are dead and destroyed.
Colonization: It occurred at the end of the last Ice Age (12,000-8000 BC) when humans colonized the isthmus.
Male power : the hoarding of the goods of others by the warrior chiefs, is constantly commented on in the colonial chronicles of the 16th century.
The Colombian Epic
To start the project, the port of Palos was chosen, which had the obligation to supply the crown with the use of two ships.
Arrival of the Spanish in Panama
Christopher Columbus arrives on Panamanian shores during his fourth trip.
The Governments of Nueva Andalucía and Castilla de Oro
The Crown initiated a plan for the conquest and colonization of the continental territories.
Santa María de la Antigua De Darién Foundation:was the first city founded in Tierra Firme, on the American continent, located in the Caribbean Sea; in 1510.
Discovery of the South Sea.
It happened on September 25, 1513.
by: Vasco Núñez de Balboa.
Studies for the Opening of a Canal on the Isthmus: begins with Governor PEDRO DE LOS RIOS, on the Chagres River.
The Colonial Regime
Panama was part of the Spanish empire between 1538 and 1821. Two types of laws were applied: peninsular and overseas or colonial.
The Royal Audience of Panama : took place at the beginning of 1539, the Oidores FRANCISCO DE ROBLES, LORENZO PEREZ DE LA SERNA, PEDRO DE VILLALOBOS and the Lawyer ALONSO DE MONTENEGRO arrived.
Introduction of the Blacks in Panama: The first black slaves arrived at the Isthmus of Panama in the expedition of Governor DIEGO DE NICUESA, who worked to raise the Name of God.
The Portobelo Fairs: began with the exchange of merchandise in the Name of God; then it went to Portobelo in 1597.
Corsairs and Pirates Apart from Spain and Portugal, the political dominance and the commercial monopoly between the colonies excluded the rest of the European powers.