Architecture Life

2 Responses on What materials did the Anasazi use for there architecture?

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  By Mnemonic at August 1st, 2008

  Adobe. Because it was easily available, a traditional building method, and is quite durable.

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  By Mike G at August 2nd, 2008

  The key materials used were adobe and timber with some stonework. As typically happens the architecture that was born from the needs, materials and form used served to reinforce key cultural activities. Modern research indicates that the Anasazi grew so did their use of timber. The unsustainable environmental changes that resulted caused the total collapse of their culture.

  IN DETAIL
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  Anasazi architecture evolved from cave dwellings to pit-houses to above ground buildings of adobe or stone. This reflects the development from scattered settlements into towns which typically reflects an increasingly elaborate society and culture.

  Check out this excellent site which has drawings and detailed descriptions of the building types and the culture they reflected:

  Adobe (dry mud brick) is the obvious material when one thinks of the Anasazi and other Pueblo architecture. It has excellent strength under compression and so can be used to create arched or domed roof structures (eg. Ancient Egyptian granaries).

  However this technique is not found in native America construction. There they used timber (wood) to create the framework, floors and roofs. Culturally this had perhaps the most significant impact on the Anasazi culture.

  The expansion of urban Anasazi architecture led to the eventual destruction of all surrounding woodland. It has been estimated that they cut down hundreds of thousands of trees from forests at up to 4000ft and up to 75 miles distant.

  Read this interview with leading anthropologist Jared Diamond on ABC Radio National:

  Also check out this article:

  So in the end the very success of the civilization led to its demise. Doesn’t always seem that way
  All the best,
  Mike