Darty 1
Gina Darty
Natalie Gray
American History 1
September 5, 2015
Ancestral Puebloans
Ancestral Puebloans had settlements located in the Four Corners region of the United States. The Four Comers is where the boarders of Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico meet. Like many Native American tribes, farming was a source used to feed the members of the tribes. The lands where the Ancestral Puebloans lived were known to experience periods of drought just as they are today in modern times. Even without a period of drought water may have been hard to find not only for farming, but for drinking also. Drought is one of the factors believed to have motivated these Native Americans began building homes in the sides of cliffs. The dwellings …show more content…
At approximately 50 different sites, archaeologist have found evidence the Ancestral Puebloans practiced cannibalism. (Digging for the Truth series) At dig sites in Cortez, CO, owned by Archie Hanson, he has found several remains that suggest cannibalism. Mr. Hanson states, “There are many different signs. The signature of cannibalism is very positive. There have to be seven salient facts there.” (Digging for the Truth series) At the over 200 sites in Cortez, CO these signs include cuts marks on the bones that are seen on animals that have been used for food, body parts in what was the fire pit, and pot polish on the remains. The evidence shows this practice began some time in 900 A.D. at the various dig sites.
Descendants of the Ancestral Puebloans do not believe their ancestors were cannibals. Suggesting that they would have only turned to cannibalism if there was an enemy around at the time. The Navajo are the only known enemy of the Ancestral Puebloans and it was longer after they left these lands. The name Anasazi many archeologist use from Ancestral Puebloans comes from the Navajo. (Digging for …show more content…
(Digging for the Truth series) The Hopi are said to be ancestors of the Ancestral Puebloans. They refer to the Ancestral Puebloans as Hisatsinom, which means “people of the past.” (Digging for the Truth series) The people of the Hopi Tribes believe Ancestral Puebloans simply migrated to other lands. At several of the sites visited, a spiral could be seen carved into the walls of the stone homes. Hopi Elders say this is a symbol of migration known to their people. (Digging for the Truth series) When it was time to move on to another land, this symbol would be carved into the stone. Could it be that the Ancestral Puebloans did not just simply vanish, but move on to another place where it would be easier to farm and the weather was not as harsh? We may never know for sure. Many other tribes have been found with blood ties to the Ancestral Puebloans. Some as far south as Texas along the Rio Grande. (The American Journey)
Darty 4
Works Cited
HistoryEmpire. "Digging For the Truth. Season 1, Episode 13 by The History Channel." Online video clip. YouTube. 16, August 2014. Web. 5 Sept. 2015.
Goldfield, David, Carol Abbot, Virginia DeJohn Anderson, Jo Ann E. Argersinger, Peter H. Argersinger, and William L. Barney. The American Journey:A History of the United States. 7th ed. Combined volumes. New Jersey: Pearson, 2014. 6-7.
Gina Darty
Natalie Gray
American History 1
September 5, 2015
Ancestral Puebloans
Ancestral Puebloans had settlements located in the Four Corners region of the United States. The Four Comers is where the boarders of Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico meet. Like many Native American tribes, farming was a source used to feed the members of the tribes. The lands where the Ancestral Puebloans lived were known to experience periods of drought just as they are today in modern times. Even without a period of drought water may have been hard to find not only for farming, but for drinking also. Drought is one of the factors believed to have motivated these Native Americans began building homes in the sides of cliffs. The dwellings …show more content…
At approximately 50 different sites, archaeologist have found evidence the Ancestral Puebloans practiced cannibalism. (Digging for the Truth series) At dig sites in Cortez, CO, owned by Archie Hanson, he has found several remains that suggest cannibalism. Mr. Hanson states, “There are many different signs. The signature of cannibalism is very positive. There have to be seven salient facts there.” (Digging for the Truth series) At the over 200 sites in Cortez, CO these signs include cuts marks on the bones that are seen on animals that have been used for food, body parts in what was the fire pit, and pot polish on the remains. The evidence shows this practice began some time in 900 A.D. at the various dig sites.
Descendants of the Ancestral Puebloans do not believe their ancestors were cannibals. Suggesting that they would have only turned to cannibalism if there was an enemy around at the time. The Navajo are the only known enemy of the Ancestral Puebloans and it was longer after they left these lands. The name Anasazi many archeologist use from Ancestral Puebloans comes from the Navajo. (Digging for …show more content…
(Digging for the Truth series) The Hopi are said to be ancestors of the Ancestral Puebloans. They refer to the Ancestral Puebloans as Hisatsinom, which means “people of the past.” (Digging for the Truth series) The people of the Hopi Tribes believe Ancestral Puebloans simply migrated to other lands. At several of the sites visited, a spiral could be seen carved into the walls of the stone homes. Hopi Elders say this is a symbol of migration known to their people. (Digging for the Truth series) When it was time to move on to another land, this symbol would be carved into the stone. Could it be that the Ancestral Puebloans did not just simply vanish, but move on to another place where it would be easier to farm and the weather was not as harsh? We may never know for sure. Many other tribes have been found with blood ties to the Ancestral Puebloans. Some as far south as Texas along the Rio Grande. (The American Journey)
Darty 4
Works Cited
HistoryEmpire. "Digging For the Truth. Season 1, Episode 13 by The History Channel." Online video clip. YouTube. 16, August 2014. Web. 5 Sept. 2015.
Goldfield, David, Carol Abbot, Virginia DeJohn Anderson, Jo Ann E. Argersinger, Peter H. Argersinger, and William L. Barney. The American Journey:A History of the United States. 7th ed. Combined volumes. New Jersey: Pearson, 2014. 6-7.