Ancestral Puebloans: The American Indians of the Southwest Anasazi culture. The history and lifestyle of the Ancestral Puebloans may have contributed to their mysterious disappearance. Their societies were more complex than most humans realize. The Anasazi, or to be politically correct, the ancestral Puebloans, traveled southwest from Mexico around 100 AD (Southwest Indian Relief Council, 2001). The word “Anasazi” comes from the Navajo word which translates to “ancestral enemies”. The name was changed from Anasazi to Ancestral Puebloans so that their ancestors today would not take offense to the history of their people in their past. The Anasazi were known to be a nomadic people. They usually moved around until they found the ideal land for farming. This perfect land happened to be scattered across the southwestern part of the United States, primarily in the four corners region of Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico (SWIRC, 2001). Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon and Hovenweep were among the most attractive places for these nomadic farmers to settle. Mesa Verde provided the Anasazi with a high plateau filled with canyons, caves, and “cliff palaces.” Chaco Canyon served as the center for all Anasazi activities. Hovenweep contained numerous cliff dwellings, perfect for a thriving but isolated Anasazi site. The Anasazi Indians developed their agricultural methods gradually once they found the ideal homeland. They grew and ate corn, squash, pine nuts, fruits and berries. Once the corn was fully grown, Anasazi women ground it with ametate and a mano. The metate is a "flat stone receptacle" and the mano is a "hand-held stone" (Ferguson...... middle of paper ......member/October). Flight of the Anasazi. Archaeology, 44Noble, DG (1985). Understanding the Anasazi of mesa verde and hovenweep. Pages. 35-37. Santa Fe: Ancient City Press. Indian Pueblo. (2002, April). History of the Pueblo Indians (continued). Retrieved March 12, 2003, from http://www.puebloindian.com/pueblo_history_003.htmRoberts, D. (1996). Looking for the old ones. Pages. 13, 31. New York: Touchstone. South West Indian Relief Council. (2001, July). History of southwest India: 300 BC: Anasazi. Retrieved March 11, 2003 from http://www.swirc.org/history/anasazi.htmlS. P. (2002, September). Could the Anasazi have stayed? Science News, 174. Torres, N. and Stuart, S. Anasazi Indians. Retrieved March 12, 2003 from http://www.cristalinks.com/anasazi.html Williams, S. (1991). Fantastic archaeology. Pages. 339-340. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

Essay / Ancestral Puebloans: The American Indians of the Southwest Anasazi culture. The history and lifestyle of the Ancestral Puebloans may have contributed to their mysterious disappearance. Their societies were more complex than most humans realize. The Anasazi, or to be politically correct, the ancestral Puebloans, traveled southwest from Mexico around 100 AD (Southwest Indian Relief Council, 2001). The word “Anasazi” comes from the Navajo word which translates to “ancestral enemies”. The name was changed from Anasazi to Ancestral Puebloans so that their ancestors today would not take offense to the history of their people in their past. The Anasazi were known to be a nomadic people. They usually moved around until they found the ideal land for farming. This perfect land happened to be scattered across the southwestern part of the United States, primarily in the four corners region of Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico (SWIRC, 2001). Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon and Hovenweep were among the most attractive places for these nomadic farmers to settle. Mesa Verde provided the Anasazi with a high plateau filled with canyons, caves, and “cliff palaces.” Chaco Canyon served as the center for all Anasazi activities. Hovenweep contained numerous cliff dwellings, perfect for a thriving but isolated Anasazi site. The Anasazi Indians developed their agricultural methods gradually once they found the ideal homeland. They grew and ate corn, squash, pine nuts, fruits and berries. Once the corn was fully grown, Anasazi women ground it with ametate and a mano. The metate is a "flat stone receptacle" and the mano is a "hand-held stone" (Ferguson...... middle of paper ......member/October). Flight of the Anasazi. Archaeology, 44Noble, DG (1985). Understanding the Anasazi of mesa verde and hovenweep. Pages. 35-37. Santa Fe: Ancient City Press. Indian Pueblo. (2002, April). History of the Pueblo Indians (continued). Retrieved March 12, 2003, from http://www.puebloindian.com/pueblo_history_003.htmRoberts, D. (1996). Looking for the old ones. Pages. 13, 31. New York: Touchstone. South West Indian Relief Council. (2001, July). History of southwest India: 300 BC: Anasazi. Retrieved March 11, 2003 from http://www.swirc.org/history/anasazi.htmlS. P. (2002, September). Could the Anasazi have stayed? Science News, 174. Torres, N. and Stuart, S. Anasazi Indians. Retrieved March 12, 2003 from http://www.cristalinks.com/anasazi.html Williams, S. (1991). Fantastic archaeology. Pages. 339-340. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

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