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Hohokam Agave Cultivation

"Hohokam farmers grew agave for centuries in the desert basins of central and southern Arizona. At times, they appear to have cultivated this drought-adapted succulent on a scale comparable to that of the more familiar corn, beans, and squash. This intensity of prehistoric cultivation contrasts with only minor garden plantings during post-contact times in the southwestern United States and adjacent northern Mexico, in conjunction with widespread gathering from wild stands. The recently recognized evidence for Hohokam cultivation consists of abundantly preserved plant remains, related artifacts, and ancient field locations. The role of agave as a crop in Hohokam economy and society can be reconstructed by examining the attributes and distributions of these archaeological elements within a framework of settlement and economy."
[from Southwest Agave Project, last accessed July 28, 2004]

Take a video tour of a prehistoric rockpile field near Tumamoc Hill in Tucson, narrated by Dr. Suzanne Fish, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology Curator at the Arizona State Museum. The video was shot in August 2000. You will need the free QuickTime player, the ability to play audio on your computer and a highspeed connection to view the video. Inside the brackets is the length of each of clip.

View QuickTime Virtual Reality panoramas of Tumamoc Hill.

• Agave Cultivation [QT 00:53]
• Agave Predation [QT 01:23]
• Agave Terraces [QT 00:45]
• Clones and Reproduction [QT 01:10]

[Download the free Apple QuickTime player]