> All of the structures within these settlements were completely burned and destroyed This is only a paradox is the burning was meant to rid the structures of

> All of the structures within these settlements were completely burned and destroyed This is only a paradox is the burning was meant to rid the structures of something while remaining usable - something specific to fumigation. Maybe the structures, and some of their contents, needed to be destroyed due to some unknown contaminating negative (black magic/spirits, insects/pests, disease) - maybe even the whole settlement?