Our travels through Arizona’s special places continues north of Sunset Crater to Wupatki – one of the most prominent archaeological sites in the state. The remains of these buildings (or pueblos) as they are more commonly known were the ancient homes of the Sinagua and other indigenous peoples who had thrived in this region nearly 1,000 years ago. It’s amazing to think that these vast desert regions were able to support considerable human settlements so long ago, before modern irrigation and other complex water systems were developed to maintain them.
Although climate change is such a pressing issue in the 21st century, this may have also been a major problem which forced these native tribes to abandon what is now northeastern Arizona. Adequate water supplies have always been the number one issue of life in the southwest and are becoming critical now. At any rate, for a considerable period the Sinagua and other peoples who lived in the Wupatki area were able to support significant agriculture allowing them to flourish and build multi-story, durable dwellings where they raised maize, squash, and possibly other crops. Wild berries, roots, and other edible plants may also have been abundant for a long period during the rainy seasons.
Whatever the ultimate cause may have been, the region was eventually abandoned. Despite this, the pottery and seashells found by archeologists here provide evidence that these inhabitants lived here long enough to have carried on trade with other far flung peoples from the Pacific to the Gulf Coasts. However, the dwellings themselves are the most fascinating aspect of Wutpaki with their rich, red sandstone walls constructed with mortar – with large sections remarkably still intact after 900 years! The red sandstone pueblos remind the visitor of the magnificent buttes at Sedona almost sixty miles to the south. However, a visit to Sunset Crater provides a change-up as this sight as vast expanses of black, volcanic soil and rock breaks up the continuity of the red sandstone region.
There are three main pueblos and other structures scattered throughout Wutpaki, and hiking some of the trails to reach them could provide a vigorous workout for the more adventurous visitors. The monument is vast, covering nearly 56 square miles (or 35,422 acres. The panorama of Wutpaki is especially stunning to gaze over, as it lacks the tree cover and other vegetation that characterizes some other national monuments in the state like Montezuma’s Castle or Walnut Canyon to the south. Wutpaki was created by President Calvin Coolidge in 1924 to protect its archaeological treasures and typically has around 200,000 or so visitors each year.
While the monument is open year round, it can get rather toasty during the summer months with daily temperatures hitting well over 90 degrees – so it’s imperative to keep ample water supplies with you on those hiking trails!
For more information about planning a visit to Wutpaki, visit: http://www.nps.org
