The Hohokam

The Hohokam were an ancient culture that thrived in what is now southern Arizona from around 200 to 1450 CE. They are best known for their advanced irrigation systems, which allowed them to farm in a desert environment. The Hohokam built extensive canal networks to water crops like maize, beans, and squash. They created impressive pottery, jewelry, and ball courts for ceremonial purposes. Their society showed organized community planning and trade, influencing later cultures in the Southwest. Their decline is believed to be linked to environmental changes and social shifts, but their innovations significantly impacted the region's agricultural development.