For context, domestication of large beasts of burden were an important factor in early technological progress. These animals were important for farming and also

For context, domestication of large beasts of burden were an important factor in early technological progress. These animals were important for farming and also for commerce (eg by transporting goods and people across large land distances). People point to this for the lower technological progress in South America vs Europe and Asia because the largest animal South American peoples had access to (up until a few centuries ago) was the llama. Obviously there are military implications to the horse as well. Not just the Mongols either. Horses were key to Rome too. The Spanish brought over horses obviously. But it's really interesting to think how society in the Americas could be completely shaped and changed by something like a shipwreck bringing horses, something they didn't have until then.