Hohokam - An Ancient Civilization, native to the Americas
300 BC to 1200 AD
Geographic Factors
The Hohokamcivilization was located in the state known as Arizona today (light yellow below).
Ancient Writings
These pictures were called "hieroglyphics" and were seen on rock walls around their dwellings, on pottery and other other everyday implements. Because they didn't have an written language, they recorded their history through pictures which depicted important events in their life
Dwellings
Their homes were mud huts. Primary means of entertainment was telling stories that had been passed down through dancing and storytelling.
Farming Methods
They were a farming community rather than hunters and gatherers. They used an elaborate system of canals to transfer water from the Salt River to their gardens. Canal irrigation
This is the most impressive Hohokam achievement and one that is unrivaled in native North America - and the one that most likely contributed to the rise of elaborate social mechanisms and class distinctions among the Hohokam
required a tremendous investment in labor to build &maintain - called for constant work: opening &closing floodgates, periodic cleaning &repairing
more than 500 miles of main canals were constructed (now mostly gone due to urban-suburban developments)
some were massive, even by today's standards - 75 feet across at the top &several miles in length - two near Phoenix were 10+ miles long, connecting the river with distant fields - the modern city of Phoenix uses a canal system virtually superimposed on the early Hohokam plan for diverting water from the Salt River (a mute &unintentional tribute to the native American engineers who came before)
canals were U or V-shaped and sometimes lined with clay
There was not much division of labor in the Hohokam tribe. Men and women worked in the fields to raise the crops. Women were responsible for the food preparation. Both men and women participated in making pottery for their own use and for trade to other tribes.
Domestication of Animals
The early Native Americans did not utilize domestic animals for working. Rather they used tools and manual labor. They did have animals for food and used dogs for pets.
Sociopolitical Factors
The following website gives more information about the political structure of the Hohokam civilization. There was very little social stratification or "classes" of people. They lived simply and were equal for the most part.
Hohokam - An Ancient Civilization, native to the Americas
300 BC to 1200 ADGeographic Factors
The Hohokamcivilization was located in the state known as Arizona today (light yellow below).Ancient Writings
These pictures were called "hieroglyphics" and were seen on rock walls around their dwellings, on pottery and other other everyday implements. Because they didn't have an written language, they recorded their history through pictures which depicted important events in their lifeDwellings
Their homes were mud huts. Primary means of entertainment was telling stories that had been passed down through dancing and storytelling.
Farming Methods
They were a farming community rather than hunters and gatherers. They used an elaborate system of canals to transfer water from the Salt River to their gardens.Canal irrigation
This is the most impressive Hohokam achievement and one that is unrivaled in native North America - and the one that most likely contributed to the rise of elaborate social mechanisms and class distinctions among the Hohokam
Division of Labor
There was not much division of labor in the Hohokam tribe. Men and women worked in the fields to raise the crops. Women were responsible for the food preparation. Both men and women participated in making pottery for their own use and for trade to other tribes.
Domestication of Animals
The early Native Americans did not utilize domestic animals for working. Rather they used tools and manual labor. They did have animals for food and used dogs for pets.Sociopolitical Factors
The following website gives more information about the political structure of the Hohokam civilization. There was very little social stratification or "classes" of people. They lived simply and were equal for the most part.Other Interesting Facts
Lifestyle - Music
Hohokam Music
Dance
Costumes
Citations:
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