There are settlements in the desert southwest that were abandoned hundreds of years ago. Very well-built settlements. These were abandoned because of drought. It’s the desert. Drought happens.
The drought that forced the Anasazi to migrate away from their cliff dwellings was about a 200 year drought beginning around 1250 - 1300 AD, possibly harbinger of The Little Ice Age recorded in Europe beginning around the same time. Far from 1200 years ago. Seth Borenstein does his usual parrot act, without knowing what he is parroting.