Ancestral Puebloans: The American Indians of the Southwest "The Corn Man," warfare, and the atlatls were not the only interesting aspects of the culture Anasazi. The history and lifestyle of the Ancestral Puebloans may have contributed to their mysterious disappearance. Their societies were more complex than most humans realize. The Anasazi, or to be politically correct, the Ancestral Puebloans, traveled to the Southwest from Mexico around 100 AD (Southwest Indian Relief Council, 2001). The word “Anasazi” originates from the Navajo word which translates to “ancestral enemies.” The name was changed from Anasazi to Ancestral Puebloans so that their ancestors today would not be offended by the history of the people of their past. The Anasazi were known to be a nomadic people. They generally moved around until they found the perfect land for farming. This perfect land was scattered across the southwestern United States, primarily in the Four Corners region of Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico (SWIRC, 2001). Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon, and Hovenweep were some of the most attractive places where these nomadic farmers could settle. Mesa Verde provided the Anasazi with a plateau filled with canyons, caves and "Cliff Palaces". Chaco Canyon served as the center for all Anasazi activity. Hovenweep contained many cliff dwellings, perfect for a thriving but remote Anasazi site. The Anasazi Indians gradually developed their agricultural methods once they found the perfect homelands. They grew and ate corn, squash, pine nuts, fruits, and berries. Once the corn was fully grown, Anasazi women ground the corn with ametate and a hand. The metate is a "flat stone receptacle" and the hand is a "hand-held stone" (Ferguson... mid-card... amber/October). The escape of the Anasazi. Archaeology, 44Noble, D. G. (1985). Understanding the Anasazi of Mesa Verde and Hovenweep. Pages 35-37. Santa Fe: Ancient City Press.Pueblo Indian. (2002, April). History of the Pueblo Indians (continued). Retrieved March 12, 2003, from http://www.puebloindian.com/pueblo_history_003.htmRoberts, D. (1996). Looking for the old ones. Pages 13, 31. New York: Touchstone.Southwest Indian Relief Council. (2001, July). History of Southwestern India: 300 BC: Anasazi. Retrieved March 11, 2003, from http://www.swirc.org/history/anasazi.htmlS. P. (2002, September). Could the Anasazi have stayed? Science News, 174.Torres, N. & Stuart, S. Anasazi Indians. Retrieved March 12, 2003, from http://www.crystalinks.com/anasazi.htmlWilliams, S. (1991). Fantastic archaeology. Pages 339-340. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.