Anasazi Jewelry Pendant Sterling Silver

The Ancient Pueblo or “Anasazi” were one of four major prehistoric archaeological traditions recognized in the American Southwest. Their culture is best known for the stone and adobe dwellings built along cliff walls.

The Ancient Pueblo homeland centers on the Colorado Plateau, but extends from central New Mexico on the east to southern Nevada on the west. Areas of southern Nevada, Utah and Colorado form a loose northern boundary, while the southern edge is defined by the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers in Arizona and the Rio Puerco and Rio Grande in New Mexico. The ancient Pueblos attained a cultural "Golden Age" between about 900 and 1150. Communities grew larger and were inhabited for longer periods of time. Highly specific local traditions in architecture and pottery emerged, and trade over long distances appears to have been common.

After approximately 1150, North America experienced significant climatic change in the form of a 300-year drought called the “Great Drought.” Along with the change in precipitation patterns, there was a drop in water table levels due to a different cycle unrelated to rainfall. This forced the abandonment of settlements in the more arid or over-farmed locations.

Evidence suggests a profound change in religion in this period. Structures constructed originally along astronomical alignments and thought to have served important ceremonial purposes to the culture were systematically dismantled. Doorways were sealed with rock and mortar. Kiva walls show marks from great fires set within them, which probably required removal of the massive roof - a task which would require significant effort. Habitations were abandoned, tribes split and divided and resettled far elsewhere. This evidence suggests that the religious structures were deliberately abandoned slowly over time.

Puebloan tradition holds that the ancestors had achieved great spiritual power and control over natural forces, and used their power in ways that caused nature to change, and caused changes that were never meant to occur. Possibly, the dismantling of their religious structures was an effort to symbolically undo the changes they believed they caused due to their abuse of their spiritual power, and thus make amends with nature.

The name "Anasazi" has come to mean "ancient people. Only the ruins and artifacts remain of this once flourishing culture. Contemporary scientists think that life must have been good for awhile but they ended up abandoning their magnificent architecture and permanent homes to migrate hundreds of miles and seemingly lose their cultural identities in Hopiland, Zuni and the pueblos along the Rio Grande River.

This pottery chard is authentic and obtained legally on private land.

Size: 2 1/4" L X 1 1/8" W X 1/4"D

This is the exact piece you will receive.

Ships with an attractive crushed velvet jewelry box, 16" Sterling Silver chain, information and authenticity.

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