Disease Theory

Scientists and anthropologists have suggested disease as a possible cause for the collapse of the Hohokam.  Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of American Indians were killed by disease after contact with Europeans.  Evidence suggests, however, that the Hohokam society collapsed decades before Columbus landed on Hispaniola.  The Hohokam canal system could have spread water-borne disease quickly through the population, but evidence of disease, such as mass graves or large scale cremation sites, has not been discovered.