The Anasazi People

The Anasazi People

My name is Jean Richard, I am studying Native American history at Humboldt University. Our current research project involves the time period from prehistory to 1860. My team of archeology students set out to learn more about the Anasazi people. The word Anasazi is used to describe a distinctive American Indian civilization and culture that existed from about 1200 B.C. to A.D. 1300 in the Four Corners area of Southwestern United States. Although the name Anasazi has come to mean “ancient people”, the word itself is Navajo, meaning “enemy ancestors.” Today many Native Americans find the term Anasazi offensive. It’s late July and it’s about 80 degrees. It’s hard to believe that the winters are so harsh here. Anasazi Basketmaker groups, relatives of the cliffdwellers in Colorado, lived in caves and rock overhangs within the canyon walls to protect them from the harsh winters. The Anasazi Basketmaker II era is A.D. 50-500. The bow and arrow has not been discovered