HISTORIC BACKGROUND Human occupation of the Colorado Plateau The Colorado Plateau has been occupied by different communities over time. The table below present the main groups that  have lived in the area beginning with Paleo-indigenous communities up to the  Navajo community, which currently occupied the largest Indian Reservation in the United States. ANASAZI ."Anasazi" is a Navajo word that means "ancient people," or "enemy ancestors.” They occupied sections of the Four corner region from 1200 B.C., until sometime in the 1300 hundreds.  The generalized idea is that they migrated for an still unknown reason to New Mexico to join the Pueblo communities. MAIN BRANCHES • Mesa Verde:                                     A.D. 600 - A.D. 1300 • Kayenta:                                           A.D. 400 - A.D.1280 • Virgin Anasazi:                                  A.D. 100 - 1150 A.D. • Chaco Canyon:                                 A.D. 900 - A.D 1180 Two major periods for the Anasazi . Basket maker 1200 B.C. - A.D. 750 • Hunters and gathers • Housing: distinctive type of subterranean or semi-subterranean "pithouse" Pueblo A.D. 750 – 1350 • Agriculture and pottery makers. • Above-ground structures. • By A.D. 900 the Anasazi were living in villages in large family or clan groups • Towards the end of the period buildings were built in large sandstone caves or overhangs apparently for defensive purposes Typical housing During the Basket market period  the Anasazi constrictions were built in the ground Later during the Pueblo periods, the constructions were more sophisticated incorporating  above.   The Anasazis build their houses in the Canyons toward the end of the period. Picture from:   http://www.anthroarcheart.org/tblh33.htm Home Location History Mystery            Environmenatl stress            Collapse of an economic trade system            Warfare            Religion crisis References