The enduring mystery of the Anasazi 11

The Anasazi, meaning "ancient ones" in Navajo, were some of the earliest inhabitants of North America, settling in Colorado and New Mexico by 500 A.D. They built the first villages in the American Southwest, engaged in farming crops like corn, squash, and beans, and used advanced irrigation systems. They are known for creating multiroom dwellings in cliffs and had a distinctive pottery style. By 1300, they abandoned their settlements, leaving artifacts behind. Their decline was likely due to environmental challenges, including drought and land fertility loss. Despite their disappearance, they left a rich archaeological legacy and descendants in contemporary Pueblo peoples.