Search Menu

PPA

Welcome to Wupatki National Monument!

Park History

Wupatki National Monument, established in 1924, preserves the pueblos and other archeological sites of the Ancestral Puebloans, who inhabited the area from around 500 AD to the mid-1200s. The monument's primary focus is the protection and study of these ancient structures, including Wupatki Pueblo, the largest and most prominent pueblo within the monument.

Here's a more detailed look at the history:

Early Inhabitants:
The Ancestral Puebloans, including the Cohonina, Kayenta Anasazi, and Sinagua cultures, lived in the area, building pueblos and engaging in agriculture and trade.

Wupatki Pueblo:
This large pueblo, built by the Sinagua, is a key example of their architectural style and cultural practices, with evidence of cross-cultural interaction with other groups.

Abandonment:
The area was largely abandoned by the mid-1200s, with the reasons for this abandonment still being studied.

Rediscovery and Preservation:
US Lieutenant Lorenzo Sitgreaves documented the ruins in 1851. Wupatki National Monument was officially established in 1924 to protect these important archaeological sites.

Navajo Use:
While the monument was established to preserve the ancient sites, the Navajo people also used the area for grazing and habitation, particularly in the early years of the monument's existence.

Today:
Wupatki National Monument continues to be an important site for research, education, and recreation, offering visitors a glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans and the natural environment they inhabited. -- Source Google



Gallery