Archaic Southwest North of the Aztec Anasazi, Hohokam, and Mogollon
Southwestern culture Defined by agriculture Stone and adobe architecture No evidence of formal social stratification
Many of the ancient cultures survive today in the same regions despite European contact Region includes the Pueblo (Navajo and Hopi) Zuni, and O’odham
Environment Highly diverse desert and mountain region. Arid to semi-arid So variable that ancient patterns are difficult to determine, but scarcity of water is certain. Dry farming practiced.
Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi) from AD 1 to modern Sites: Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde Impressive stone and adobe architecture
Hohkam 400 AD – 1500 AD Smaller houses than Pueblo Ball courts? Two have been recently recognized. Low platform mounds Simple paddle and anvil decorated pottery
Mogollon ~ 250AD – 1450 AD Several stages of culture development Distinctive red or brown pottery
Patayan 875 AD - modern Ancient culture in region of Grand Canyon
Chaco Canyon
Chaco ruins
Kiva architecture
Mesa Verde
Entry from roof into Kiva House entry
Theories of population movement Period 1: Late Paleo-Indian to Archaic –Limited evidence. Populations possibly clustered around food resources Period 2: Archaic –Changes to wetter climate. Changes in technology suggest populations from Mexico Period 3: late Archaic to early modern –Changes to drier climate very dramatic
Ancestral pueblo (Anasazi)
Around 500BC Populations become denser. Evidence of increased reliance on maize agriculture, also beans and squash. Obviously some regions were more productive than others.
Petroglyphs
Ancestral Pueblo
Classic Membres style
Mogollon Casas Grande
Maize agriculture At least 5000 years of development Hundreds of varieties Originally a wild grass, human intervention has altered its wild state. Selective cultivation for large rachis
Maize development Gradual increase in toughness of rachis Enlargement of rachis
Dental clues to diet caries
Questions Was there contact between American Southwest and cultures of Mexico? What form might contact have taken—how would it be expressed? Did population migration after 1000 AD impact northern Mexico?
Mogollon culture appears to have acted as an intermediary between SW and Aztec controlled territories. Contact is evidenced by motifs and themes in pottery art.