The Anasazi and Mississippians Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, Cahokia, and Moundville

The Anasazi No great urban centers like those in Peru or Mesoamerica. Northern people never developed the corn agriculture – except in the southwest and Mississippi Valley. Why are there similarities with Mesoamerica?

The Anasazi Three identifiably different cultures in the North American Southwest by 500 C.E. Mogollon in eastern AZ and southern NM. Hohokam in south-central AZ. Anasazi in four-corners.

The Anasazi Anasazi = “ancient ones” By 750 C.E. inhabited aboveground houses, adobe architecture, and ceremonial rooms dug into the earth. Sunken ceremonial rooms called kivas. Anasazi housing became known as pueblos to the Spanish.

The Anasazi 850s C.E. – Chaco Canyon in the San Juan River basin on northwest NM became a hub. Straight roads led to and from the city Had over 600 rooms.

The Anasazi After 1130 C.E. , a long drought in Chaco Canyon area. Gradually, with populations growing and climate worsening, Anasazi moved into cliff dwellings. Mesa Verde had 220 rooms and 23 kivas. What is beneficial about these structures?

The Anasazi Another drought – 1276 to 1299 C.E. forced Anasazi to move again. What happened to the survivors of the Anasazi?

The Mississippians These peoples prospered during Roman Empire The Hopewell people lived mainly in Ohio and Illinois, but networked over much of the continent. They had copper and silver from Lake Superior, quartz from Appalachia, seashells from Florida, and obsidian and grizzly bear teeth from the Rockies.

The Mississippians Hopewell trading led to mound-building cultures in the Mississippi Valley. Developed 500-900 C.E. and flourished after 900 C.E. Bows and arrows began to be used. Maize went from being a commodity to a staple crop.

The Mississippians Cahokia Creek – dozens of rectangular, flat-topped temple mounds. Developed “Woodhenge” – functioned as a calendar and marked the progression of the sun each year. Around 1100, Cahokia had 15,000 people.

The Mississippians By 1400, mound building cultures began losing their power. Why do you think these people began losing their power and influence?