Early farmers included the _______________.

Early farmers in the region that is now New Mexico were primarily represented by the Mogollon and Anasazi cultures. These groups were known for developing advanced agricultural techniques in the arid environment, including the cultivation of crops such as maize, beans, and squash.

The Mogollon culture flourished in southern New Mexico and northern Mexico, while the Anasazi, also known as the Ancestral Puebloans, occupied the Four Corners area and are particularly noted for their impressive cliff dwellings and sophisticated agricultural practices. Their ability to adapt to their environment and create stable food sources was crucial for their societal development.

In contrast, the Apaches and Navajo, while also significant cultural groups in New Mexico, were traditionally more nomadic in their lifestyles and not primarily associated with early farming practices of the same nature as the Mogollon and Anasazi. The Cherokees are geographically and culturally distinct, primarily associated with the southeastern United States, which further separates them from the farming traditions present in ancient New Mexico.