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Welcome to Navajo National Monument!

Park History

Navajo National Monument in Arizona protects well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings dating back to the 13th century. The monument was established in 1909 to preserve these sites, including Betatakin, Keet Seel, and Inscription House. These pueblos were built in the Tsegi Canyon system by the Ancestral Puebloans, also known as Kayenta Anasazi, who farmed the area and created complex communities. While the dwellings were mysteriously abandoned by the late 13th century, the sites hold deep cultural significance for the Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, and San Juan Southern Paiute people.

Ancestral Puebloan Occupation:
The cliff dwellings at Navajo National Monument were built by the Ancestral Puebloans during the Pueblo III period, specifically the Tsegi phase (approximately AD 1250 to 1300).

Cliff Dwelling Construction:
The Ancestral Puebloans constructed these dwellings within the natural alcoves of the sandstone cliffs, utilizing a mix of masonry and jacal (mud and stick) construction.

Abandonment:
The cliff dwellings were mysteriously abandoned around the end of the 13th century.

Establishment as a Monument:
Navajo National Monument was established in 1909 to protect and preserve these remarkable ruins.

Modern Significance:
The monument serves as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the Ancestral Puebloan people and continues to hold cultural and spiritual importance for various tribes.

Monument Development:
Development of the monument was initially slow, but the MISSION 66 program in the 1950s, along with road construction by the Navajo Nation, led to significant improvements and increased accessibility.

Land Acquisition:
In 1962, an agreement allowed the Park Service to acquire 240 acres for visitor center development, transforming the monument into a modern park.

Ongoing Cultural Importance:
The monument's cultural significance is still recognized by modern tribes, and the park offers opportunities to learn about the ancestral ways of life and the continuing cultural heritage of the region. -- Source Google



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