The ANASAZI Built Glorious Cities in the Cliffs of the Modern Southwest.

“Their rise and fall mark one of the greatest stories of pre-Columbian American history.”

Source: www.ushistory.org

Anasazi is a Navajo term meaning the “ancient ones.” The term was used to refer to the prehistoric Indians who lived in the Southwest as early as 100 B.C. The earliest Anasazi were called “Basketmakers.” Around 700 A.D., the Anasazi lived in pueblos, a Spanish word for village or town. Because of the difficulty of “gathering” enough food for the growing populations, the Anasazi developed agriculture.

A few years ago, in an Anasazi archaeology site, bean seeds were found. Botanists adapted the old bean germ with modern plants, calling them Anasazi beans. 

Source: Ambler, J. Richard and Marc Gaede. The Anasazi: Prehistoric People of the Four Corners Region. Flagstaff: Museum of Northern Arizona, 1977. Print