Collapse in the North American Southwest: A Comparative Study

Summary

This presentation reports the results of a preliminary cross-cultural comparative study of collapse (depopulation) in the late precontact Southwest. Key descriptive characteristics and trends in possible contributing factors to collapse (e.g., population levels, social conflict, natural disasters, environmental impacts, etc.) within eight archaeological cultures will be considered. Generalizable and systematic description rather than explanation is the emphasis. The purpose of this trial study is to investigate the value of the comparative approach for advancing our understanding of collapse in the Southwest. Such an approach, fully implemented, may reveal generalizable insights that inform the study of the sustainability and vulnerability of contemporary societies.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage