Anasazi

The Anasazi were a prehistoric Native American civilization (c. 1100 - c. 1400 C.E.) who lived in the Four Corners area of the southwestern United States. They are the ancestors of the modern Pueblo Native Americans[?]. The word "Anasazi" is Navajo for "Ancient Ones" or "Ancient Enemy". The tribal legends of early Native Americans declare that the Anasazi were fierce warriors.

This civilization is most famous for the adobe (mud brick) structures that they built within cliff walls. These villages were (and still are) often only accessible by rope or through rock climbing. Mexican settlers named these unique villages pueblos. The Anasazi culture apparently died out 600 years ago for as yet undetermined reasons. Many have speculated that a change in local climate and resulting agricultural failures may be the reason for this disappearance.