Hohokam

Member of a prehistoric American Indian people who lived in Arizona from about 300 BC to AD 1400. Their lifestyle was similar to the neighbouring Anasazi; they practised irrigated farming and lived initially in pit houses and then in complexes of sometimes multistoreyed, rectangular adobe (sun-dried brick) dwellings. Known as great traders and artisans, they created pottery and basketry, and were probably the first to master etching, using fermented cactus juice to decorate shells for jewellery. It is not known why they disappeared, but they may have moved or died out following drought, disease, or warfare. Their descendants are thought to be the Tohono O'odham (Papago) and Pima.

The Hohokam used an advanced irrigation system to keep their crops watered in the dry desert climate, including dams and extensive canals. They supplemented their food supply by hunting animals and gathering native plants, such as mesquite beans and the fruit of the prickly pear and saguaro cactus. They may also have kept colourful macaws (parrots) as pets. The largest Hohokam ceremonial centre was at Snaketown, which had stepped temple mounds and ball courts that showed Mexican influence. They cremated their dead, and buried the ashes.