The Ancient Americas

Over time, people shifted from pure hunting and gathering to producing food through farming. Those who came to rely on farming often settled in villages. Life changed dramatically for families, communities, and whole regions. Farming families had more children and worked longer hours than hunter-gatherers. Men, women, and children typically had specific tasks, assigned according to gender and age.

People also formed bonds beyond their families, forging ties with their neighbors to create new kinds of social relationships. Art, architecture, and even clothing frequently reflected these shared identities.

Close-knit communities gained increased security and other benefits, but also faced new challenges, including getting along with neighbors. Regionally, villages sometimes fought over resources and occasionally formed alliances with one another for protection.

To learn more about these farming villagers, select from the following:

	Overview Get the full story on how "settling down" dramatically changed their diet, family, community, art, and more.
	Featured Culture Meet Ancestral Puebloan peoples of the U.S. Southwest and find out how maize sustained their community and inspired their art forms.
	Image Gallery View everyday objects from Puebloan life and see incredible pottery that reflects the artistic identity of different southwestern communities.

Continue to the Overview. >>