Climate and Culture Change in North America AD 900–1600

Climate change significantly influenced the cultural trajectory of Native American societies in North America between AD 900 and 1600. This study reveals that the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) and Little Ice Age (LIA) paralleled those in Europe, with profound impacts on population dynamics, agriculture, architecture, and art. During the MWP, Native peoples experienced a cultural renaissance marked by population growth, intensified agriculture, monumental construction, and sophisticated artistry, leading to the rise of dominant centers like Chaco Canyon, Cahokia, and Casas Grandes—comparable in scale to major European cities. The onset of the LIA reversed these trends, causing sharp declines in population, agricultural production, and societal complexity, culminating in the collapse of these cultural hubs and widespread abandonment or fortification of smaller villages.

Foster, W. C. (2012). Climate and Culture Change in North America AD 900–1600. https://doi.org/10.7560/737419