Definition: Formerly known as the Anasazi, this people established a mixed agricultural and gathering/hunting society in the southwestern part of North America.
Key Concept 2.2 The Development of States and Empires
Significance: When the first cultural time lines of the American Southwest were created in the early 20th century, scientists included a Basketmaker I stage. They created this hypothetical period in anticipation of finding evidence for the earliest stages of the transition from hunting and gathering economies to fully agricultural societies. By the late 20th century archaeologists had concluded that Basketmaker II peoples had actually filled that role.