ABSTRACT
This archaeological region straddles both the continental divide and the Mexico–U.S. border. The region is arid, yet despite these difficult conditions, American Indian communities supported themselves by farming. The beginnings of Southwest farming are documented at Paquimé and other sites in northern Mexico. Three major and several secondary prehistoric traditions emerged in the region during the first millennium bce. The Hohokam, Mogollon, and Ancestral Pueblo traditions were centered in the modern states of Arizona and New Mexico. Distinctive architectural developments included the construction of durable masonry residences and ritual spaces. Their study and preservation continue to be of great interest to both descendant communities and archaeologists. Ceramic and fiber technological traditions of the last two millennia attract artistic interest and continue in descendant communities. High-precision tree-ring dating has been applied at many regional sites, with the result that it is possible to study cultural processes at high resolution. The Ancestral Pueblo Chaco Phenomenon has attracted attention because of its large sites and regional road system, but is but one example of the region’s rich archaeological legacy. Many impressive regional sites are preserved as national parks and monuments.
