Methods of Hunting, Gathering, and Farming
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The Puebloan people had an extremely efficient strategy, combining hunting, gathering, and farming. In 900AD the Puebloan people started to construct reservoirs, check dams, and farming terraces to provide the water needed for when there was a drought or other climate changes that would affect their farming. They also used check dams and terraces for soil conservation, to prevent topsoil from washing away. They collected the edible weeds that thrived in their garden soil during their routine weeding, and disposed of the poisonous ones. They grew corn, beans, squash, sunflowers, cotton, and tobacco in their garden. They even had hoes and rakes to assist them in their farming. The corn, beans, and squash that grew in their gardens attracted deer, rabbits, and other rodents making them easy prey. The men hunted deer, antelope, and other small game with bows and arrows. They also kept domesticated turkeys for a source of animal protein when they had a bad hunting session. The people hunted so many animals and gathered so many plants that wild resources became scarce and they became more reliant on their crops and domestic turkeys, especially around major villages. The Puebloan people had domesticated dogs that were used to pull things and help the men hunt. The Puebloan people had truly an efficient way of ensuring they would have enough food for the whole tribe and a balance of meat and vegetation.
They learned to use the landscape to their advantage by paying close attention to their environment. Had they not notice which plants grew best and the game that was attracted to their crops their life would have been more difficult. Later, modifying different elements of the landscape such as they did with dams, further enhance their survival. Seeing the earth as sacred and honouring their role as it’s keeper was key to this civilization.
They learned to use the landscape to their advantage by paying close attention to their environment. Had they not notice which plants grew best and the game that was attracted to their crops their life would have been more difficult. Later, modifying different elements of the landscape such as they did with dams, further enhance their survival. Seeing the earth as sacred and honouring their role as it’s keeper was key to this civilization.