Anasazi America Wrap Up PDF

[Anasazi America, wrap up] Point of departure -- Study by a friend... Jemez Pueblo Study (PNAS, 2016) Pop Crash: 80% decline occurred during 17th century Attributed to epidemic diseases (smallpox, typhus) Brought about through sustained contact with Spanish missions Not initial colonization E...

[Anasazi America, wrap up] Point of departure -- Study by a friend... Jemez Pueblo Study (PNAS, 2016) Pop Crash: 80% decline occurred during 17th century Attributed to epidemic diseases (smallpox, typhus) Brought about through sustained contact with Spanish missions Not initial colonization Ecological Impact: Prior to collapse, Pueblo people actively managed forests Preventing large-scale fires by gathering firewood and controlling underbrush. After pop decline, fire frequency increased from once every 17 yrs to once every 11 yrs Modern Implications: Today's frequent wildfires reflect a lack of sustainable land management practices. Collab with Jemez Pueblo seeks to revive traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) Power vs. Efficiency: Lessons from the Chaco Collapse Chaco as a Power System: Collapse triggered by imbalance b/w growth demands, worsened by drought Post-collapse Pueblo Communities as Efficiency Systems: Shift from hierarchical power to more equitable, sustainable practices Dual adaptation: Economic practices diversified Takeaway: Prioritizing **efficiency** over **growth** long-term resilience [Chapter 8: Transition to Pueblo Communities] Migration and Settlement Patterns: Movement from upland Chaco settlements to riverine villages (e.g., Rio Grande) Emphasis on cooperative farming, water management, and ritual continuity More Egalitarian Social Structures: Comms became less hierarchical, w/ local governance based on kinship/shared labor Ritual spaces like kivas fostered community identity and spiritual continuity Environmental Adaptation: Irrigation and multi-zonal farming allowed villages to weather environmental stress Chapter 9: Enduring Communities and Modern Implications Impact of Spanish Missions: Missions forced Pueblo communities into dense settlements Long-term Resilience Strategies: Returning to Jemez: Human Impact on Ecosystems: Relevance to Modern Fire Management: Collaboration with Pueblo Communities Today: Partnerships b/w archs and Indigenous comms essential for reviving/applying ancient knowledge Example: Jemez working with researchers to reintroduce sustainable land management practices Questions: Is it realistic to think that TEK can inform modern envt'l challenges, such as wildfire management? Can balancing power/efficiency really help us address modern challenges like climate change or ineq? Takeaways: Chaco and the Pueblos as Models of Growth vs. Sustainability: Final Thought: Can we use lessons from past to create more sustainable, resilient communities today?