At the height of their power in the late eleventh century, the Chaco Anasazi dominated a territory in the American Southwest larger than any European principality of the time. Chacoan society thrived for over two hundred years, then collapsed dramatically in a mere forty years. Why did such a great society collapse? Who survived? Why?

Answers to these questions are presented in the influential book, now updated in a second edition that incorporates new research finding based on caloric flows, analyzes the rise and fall of the Chaco Anasazi, and identifies similar patterns in modern societies.  

Stuart argues that Chaco failed to adapt to the consequences of rapid growth. Foremost among Chaco's problems were misuse of farmland, malnutrition, loss of community, and an inability to deal with climatic catastrophe. Have modern societies learned from the example of the Chaco Anasazi, or are we risking a similar cultural collapse? 

Author: David E. Stuart

Softcover

Pages: 330

Size: 9 x 6 inches

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