Social Studies 5: The Anasazi, Part II

And around the year 1300, they mysteriously disappeared. [Little people vanish off the map]

But Dolores has promised no “mystery meat” today.

Just some servings of corn, beans…

… and people?

Yup.

A group of archaeologists now believe that some of the Anasazi were cannibals. [Cafeteria lady brings over food and students look sick]

Other archaeologists say charging the Anasazi with cannibalism is pretty extreme. [Court gavel being used]

They’re asking, “Where’s the proof?” [Anasazi being taken away]

We wonder if they've checked the pudding…

Well, the Anasazi didn’t have a written language, so it’s not like they left behind

a menu for archaeologists to study. [Shovel digs up a menu]

What they did find was human bones and markings on them that seemed to show the meat

had been cut off of them… [Bones in the ground]

…stone tools with traces of human blood…

…evidence of charred bones and split skulls…

… pots that appeared to have been polished inside from the stirring of bones...

And, lastly, evidence of human tissue in fossilized remains of fecal matter.

Yeah, that means there were traces of people in their poop. [Scientist holding old poop saying "What a crappy job."]

So, could the ancient Anasazi restaurant reviews possibly have included praise for the local

rice and human brains? [Online review saying "the best rice and brain stew I have ever had"]

Before you order out for lunch, there’s a different, contradictory story to explore.

That’s because what looks like evidence of cannibalism may actually just be evidence

of killing and dismembering witches.

…Sure that's not that much better, but…at least the menu might be safe? [Man sat a table burps]

Alright, so what’s the evidence for the witch argument?

The so-called “cannibalized” bones were found with evidence like ashes and medicine

bundles that might indicate these were sites where witches were executed. [Gravestone that says [RIP Witches]

Today’s Pueblo Indians are descendants of the Anasazi.

And their folklore talks about the proper way to get rid of a witch. [Girl reading 'Anasazi Folklore for Dummies']

It includes capturing the witch, cutting him or her up into pieces until the “evil heart”

is found, then destroying the whole thing so the witch’s ghost can’t come back and [Flames]

haunt everyone.

And what’s one of the signs that someone is a witch?

Yup.

Cannibalism.

So just like with their disappearance, we may never know whether the Anasazi were cannibals, [Human bones burning]

or if they practiced gory witch executions.

It’s yet another mystery these people left behind.

But one thing is certain…

We're definitely bringing a brown bag lunch tomorrow. [A hand on the plate of food]