4. Myth: Native Americans Didn’t Have Written Languages

It’s a misconception that Native Americans lacked written languages. While oral traditions were vital, some Indigenous peoples created written systems long before European contact. The Cherokee, for example, developed a syllabary thanks to Sequoyah, which revolutionized literacy within the nation. Meanwhile, the Maya crafted an intricate system of hieroglyphs to record history, astronomy, and governance. As History.com outlines, these achievements highlight the intellectual depth of Native societies.



