The Pueblos : Timeline and Paragraph
Felisha Charles
The Pueblo tribe began with their ancestors the Anasazi, a nomadic tribe which
relied on hunting game in the Four Corners region on southern United States.. Over time,
they evolved into semi nomadic basket makers, to permanently settled agriculturalist,
cultivated maize, squash and beans. They were best known for their intricate pottery, and
stone masonry housing integrated into the Canyons where they lived. Post-contact with
the Spaniards in t he New Mexico area caused a great decline in numbers, causing them
to be enslaved and adopt Christianity. Even after the revolt of 1680, Spaniards eventually
returned and made settlements in the area and the influence remains today. Christianity
is still practiced as is the American way of life in general. Attempts to revive culture
include basket making, blanket weaving and integration of their ceremonial practices.
However, it is still a struggle, and the effects of the the Europeans remain as they are
subjected to high unemployment rates, poor education and failing health, unfortunately
giving them little choice but to submit to complete American assimilation.
Anasazi/ Pueblo Timeline
Basket Maker I- Pre 100 B.C This was a time in which the Anasazi culture (pre-Pueblo
ancestors) began and were nomadic hunters. Much of their basket weaving and early
pottery (not yet intertwined in their culture) was associated with the Mogollon culture
which they were known to do early trading with, showing evidence of where this practice
came into play. They followed game all over what is present southern united states.
Basket Maker II- (100 B.C- 400 A.D) The Anasazi were now semi-nomadic, relying on
both hunting game with darts on occasional expeditions as well as a few crops of maize
and squash. This is the period where they were established as experts on their intricately
woven baskets. Food was stored in pits and cave dwellings were their homes when not
hunting.
Basket Maker III ( 400 a.d- 700 a.d ) Homes began to evolve, now had pit/mud houses
houses in shallow caves. Agriculture consisted of squash, maize and now beans, as
agriculture was their main reliance, causing them to eventually permanently settle. Tools
were more sufficient and better spears had been crafted from wood and stone.
Pueblo I and II ( 700 a.d- 110 a.d) This is the age where the Anasazi descendants, the
Pueblos first began. The territory was expanded, and a whole new level of housing was
introduced as they began stone masonry and were able to carve homes into canyons and
had entire villages atop the canyons as they now built homes above the ground rather
than pits. Cotton was also introduced, and the pottery they are known for was classified
as culinary, or the more artistic black and white decorated wares for ceremonies. Old pit
houses were now used for ceremonial burial grounds.
Peublo III ( 1100-1300) The Peublo artistry reached its peak, as pottery designs became
more intricate, colors ranged from blacks, white to more colorful orange, red and brown
hues.Immense dwellings were made in the Mesa Verde.
Pueblo V (1600 a.d +) After the drought, the Pueblos relocated to a water drainage basin
at the Rio Grande, New Mexico. This is also the point where there was first contact with
Spaniards, where they were conquered and forced into slave work and subjugated. There
was a revolt in 1680 eventually driving away the oppressors.
1692- Diago De Vargas, came back and implement Spanish settlements among
the Pueblos. The Pueblos were forced to follow the belief systems of the
Spanish.
Today- The Remaining Pueblos are situated in the New Mexico area, assimilated into
American culture for the most part including religion. However, many dedicated to
preserving culture still trade, make blankets, and baskets and even integrate their kiva art
from into present day churches.
Research Organizer
Works Cited Page Information
Author’s Name: Jaqueline Peppard
Publisher’s Name: Pueblo Indian.com
Date Published: October 17, 2002
Date accessed: July 10, 2011
URL: http://www.puebloindian.com/pueblo_history_001.htm
Tribe Name:
Geographic Location
Pre Contact/Traditional
Post Contact/Today
Settled in S.E Colorado
New-Mexico
Utah
Arizona
Driven to New Mexico
due to droughts in four
corners region
Language
Tanoan, Keresan,
Hopi, and Uto-Aztecan
Dialects
(each spoken within
various Pueblo tribes)
Keresan, Tanoan, Hopi,
Tewa, Tiwa, Towa (main
Language Groups, in
addition to discrete
dialects.
Political Organization
Ancestors called Anasazi, Follow under United
were nomadic hunters who States Laws/Regulations;
eventually came to settle
practice ancestral ways
in four corners region.
discreetly.
Each Pueblo village was
divided into clans, each
had own space for
farming, housing etc.. Was
an Egalitarian society;
equal rights for each tribe
member. Members rotated
and took turns in the
decision making of Pueblo
government. Decline in
empire during 14th century,
unknown reasons,
speculation of invasion,
drought and cannibalism.
Customs (marriage,
childbirth, funerary, religion)
Food offerings made to
gods by male of
Follow Chirstianity openly
as they were assimilated
Lifestyle (clothes, food,
transportation, shelter,
village organization, roles of
children, women, men etc.)
household, thrown in fire.
Had various gods. Society
was matrilineal. Marriages
were made for females and
males of separate clans.
Were first nomadic, then
sedentary. (huntersgatherers) a.d 700;Known
for vast homes, pottery &
basket weaving. “pueblo”
meaning, stone masonry
village dweller.
Had dry hot climate, so t
hey raised turkeys and
grew corn, squash and
beans. Main meals were
bread and stew, ate twice a
day. Farming tools of
stone and wood, some of
which were quite
sophisticated. Homes
made in canyons (caves)
expertly done by stone
masons, and adorned with
various mud/clay of red
and brown hues. Looked
very much like apartments.
Men wove baskets,women
inherit homes, own
houses.
Works Cited Page Information
Research Organizer
Works Cited Page Information
Author’s Name: Linda Cordell
Publisher’s Name: Scholastic Inc. & Groiler Online
Date Published: Date accessed: July 11th, 2010
URL: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=5042
but still practice old
cultural traditions in secret
Assimilation to American
culture for the most part.
Many churches/chapels use
same elements as kivas.
Eg, St. Augustine Church
-Economy runs by trade
- blankets and baskets pop.
Among tourists
-high unemployment rate,
poor education, causing
culture to erode
Tribe Name: Anasazi/ Pueblo
Tribe Name:
Geographic Location
Pre Contact/Traditional
Post Contact/Today
“”
Previously documented
“”
Language
“”
Political Organization
Still in clans and have
equal rights, also required
to follow laws of the US
Customs (marriage,
childbirth, funerary, religion)
Dead bodies were buried in
pit/ sepulchers with
monumental belongings.
Pit houses (kivas) used as
ceremonial meeting grounds
Lifestyle (clothes, food,
transportation, shelter,
village organization, roles of
children, women, men etc.)
Furthest origins show
similarity with Mogollon
culture, (100 b.c to 1400
a.d) , as they began
ceramics and settled
argriculture. Evidence of
trade w/ Anasazi &
Mogollon
Eight Phases:
Basket Maker 1 (Archaic):
Nomadic, hunt& gathered
Basket Maker 2 (100 b.b400 a.d)
Became known for intricate
woven baskets.
Clothes: short skirts for
women, thong like for men.
Were Semi-nomadic. Used
darts and small spears to
hunt small game. Animals
caught with nets as well.
Lived in caves. Started
growin mazie/squash and
occasion hunting
expeditions. Stored food in
pits.
Many baskets, bags &
sandals still survived
today.
Basket Maker III ( 400 a.d700 a.d )
Now had pit/mud houses
houses in shallow caves.
Agriculture included beans.
Bows and arrows soon
turned to large more
sufficient spears. Relied
more on agriculture which
led to more permanent
settling.
Pueblo I and II ( 700 a.d110 a.d) –expanded territory
-intro of cotton and masonry
-had above ground housing
-villages atop canyons
-2 pottery types:
culinary & decorated wares
-decorated had black/white
designs
Peublo III ( 1100-1300)
-art developed to its climax
- pottery made elaborate &
now included orange & red
coloring
-huge stone masonry
apartments/dwellings still
seen at Mesa Verde
Pueblo IV (1300-1600 a.d)
Decline of Pueblo due to
some raids, conflicts among
Pueblos and mainly
drought/ famine
-moved to Rio Grande, New
Mexico (water source)
Pueblo V (1600 a.d +)
Includes first contact with
SPaniards