Montezuma Castle and Castle A sites were built by the Southern Sinagua, a pre-Columbian archaeological culture closely related to several ancestral indigenous peoples of the Southwest, like the Hohokam and Hakataya (above). The dwelling sites were constructed as early as 1125 CE and occupied until as late as 1395 CE. Tuzigoot is a three-story pueblo ruin on the summit of a limestone and sandstone ridge just east of Clarkdale containing 110 rooms. The Tuzigoot pueblo was built by the Sinagua between 1125 and 1400 CE. The Sinagua disappeared from the region around 1450 CE and were supplanted by the Wipukepa Yavapai and Dilzhe'e Apache. Several modern Arizona tribes claim ancestral ties to the Sinagua. David Jolkovski/Larson Newspapers
On weekends in May, artists and cultural demonstrators from various tribes across the Southwest will be on site at Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot national monuments to share their skills and work with the public, in service of the agency’s mission to “preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.”
Montezuma Castle National Monument
■ Saturday, May 9: Priscilla Nieto, Santa Domingo jewelry and art
■ Saturday, May 16: Davis Maho, Hopi and Navajo textiles and art
■ Saturday, May 23: Makewesaw, Hopi kachinas and carvings
■ Sunday, May 24: Renee Archambeau Edwards, Hopi utilitarian pottery and art
■ Saturday, May 30: Donna Kaye, Hopi art and Kachina
■ Sunday, May 31: Carliss Sinqua, Hopi rock art
Additionally, the daily ranger talks take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. until the end of May. Call 928-567-3322 ext. 0 for more information.
Tuzigoot National Monument
■ Sunday, May 10: Priscilla Nieto, Santa Domingo jewelry and art
■ Sunday, May 17: Davis Maho, Hopi and Navajo textiles and art
■ Saturday, May 23: Renee Archambeau Edwards, Hopi utilitarian pottery and art
■ Sunday, May 24: Makewesaw, Hopi kachinas and carvings
■ Saturday, May 30: Carliss Sinqua, Hopi rock art
■ Sunday, May 31: Donna Kaye, Hopi art and kachina
